Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledges the intriguing “tradition” emerging in the Champions League, as his side prepares to face Real Madrid in the quarter-finals for the third consecutive year. With both teams having secured a victory each in their previous encounters, Guardiola reflects on the significance of facing the “kings” of the competition.
Guardiola remarked, “It looks like a little bit of a tradition, three years in a row playing the kings of the competition. Hopefully, we can arrive in a good moment, but there are still a few weeks before the first game in Madrid.”
Acknowledging the challenge posed by Real Madrid, Guardiola emphasized the importance of respecting every opponent in the latter stages of the Champions League. He expressed his excitement for the draw, highlighting the privilege of competing in such a special competition.
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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, while admitting the draw was unfavorable for his side, recognized Manchester City as one of the tournament favorites. He emphasized the necessity of beating the best teams to win the Champions League and anticipated a tough challenge against Guardiola’s side.
Ancelotti stated, “City are one of the favorites, and it will be very hard. The idea we have is to win the competition, and to do that, you must beat the best. City may be the best in Europe at the moment.”
Looking ahead to the quarter-final clash, Ancelotti expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete against Manchester City. He acknowledged the close nature of their previous encounters and emphasized the absence of a clear favorite in the upcoming tie.