Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola faced the press ahead of the big UEFA Champions League knockout clash against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Quizzed on how the draw of the two heavyweights facing early in the competition, reduces the intensity levels expected of the tie.
“The draw is the draw and we accept the challenge.”
Guardiola was also asked if Real Madrid set the pace for other teams to follow in the Champions League.
“Definitely. There are few clubs in Europe with a history like this [Real’s]. “We have not done, let’s say, ‘quite well’ in the group stage, so we deserve to be where we are.
“The Spaniard then moved on to the relationship between the two clubs who have met on so many occassions in recent years and was questioned on if he thinks it is a great rivalry.
“I don’t think so [overall in history]. In the last years, yes. “We had good results and bad results.
“Yeah maybe, it’s not normal to play the same rival so many times, but in history Madrid, Bayern Munich…
“The last decade we have been around, but in the history of the Champions League there have been many [rivalries].”
The City gaffer was also asked if there would be mixed feelings for Rodri after Madrid refused to attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony after it was leaked that Vinicius Jr. would not win the award.
“No, absolutely not. Happy for Rodri. Vinicius Jr had an extraordinary year [too]. “Like in the past, [Lionel] Messi and Cristiano [Ronaldo] were fighting for it – the subject is over.”
Guardiola was next questioned on the prospect of playing the second leg at the infamous Bernabeu Stadium.
“We play the second game away because we were not good enough in the group stage. We didn’t deserve it (to qualify directly into the last 16).
“The team, our team, has something special and hopefully tofmorrow we can prove it.”
He was then quizzed if his side felt more like underdogs this time against Real Madrid.
“I don’t know. I think both teams have had problems in terms of injuries during the season. I think Madrid handle it much better than us because they are still top of the league and fighting against Atletico Madrid. That shows again the consistency they have.
“At the end, they are a huge competitor. We know it. We have faced many times with them and how in the tough moments they bring out the best of them – we know it. Of course, we have to make two good games to go through.”
