Man City manager Guardiola: I'm in love with PSG midfielder Verratti

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said he is "in love" with PSG midfielder Marco Verratti.

The Italian pulled the strings in midfield for PSG as they claimed a 2-0 win over Guardiola's City at the Parc de Princes.

Asked about the midfielder, Guardiola said: "I'm in love.

"He's an exceptional player, because he's under pressure and he has the calm to have one extra touch and in that moment create extra passes behind our midfield player.

"He looks not tall, but when you see how he moves, he plays, he's not a player for long distance passes but you can count on him to make a build-up.

"Especially in the first half, in the second half we controlled him better with Kevin, but in the first half we were a little bit soft with him."