19.6 C
Manchester
Saturday, July 19, 2025
SportMan City vs Real Madrid: Guardiola calls Champions League quarter-final fixture 'special'

Man City vs Real Madrid: Guardiola calls Champions League quarter-final fixture ‘special’

Manchester City have a “special” opportunity to repeat their sensational Uefa Champions League performance against Real Madrid last season, manager Pep Guardiola has said.

The Premier League side thrashed Madrid – the most successful club in the history of the competition, with 14 triumphs – 4-0 at home in the second leg of the semi-finals to complete a 5-1 aggregate win on their way to European glory in 2022/23.

The teams will now meet for a third successive season, Madrid having beaten City in an epic semi-final in 2021/22, prevailing 6-5 on aggregate courtesy of Karim Benzema’s extra-time goal in the second leg.

“It’s a tradition, playing the kings of the competition,” Guardiola said of his team’s test in this season’s quarter-finals.

“Hopefully we will be in a good moment, as there are still a few weeks until the first leg in Madrid.

Check out our other stories here: 
Cheltenham Day Four: New customer offers
Cheltenham Day Four: Betting offers and free bets
Cheltenham Festival: Ferguson and Redknapp enjoy day three

“You cannot control the draw. Usually, when people say the draw is easy, it’s because you undermine the opponents. It is what it is.”

City vs Madrid: Cityzens ‘in routine’

Guardiola won the Champions League once as a player and twice as a head coach with Madrid’s arch-rivals, Barcelona.

“We will need two good games to go through,” said the Spaniard. “We are starting to become in the routine of being in the later stages.

“It’s special to go everywhere and try to play our best football. It’s so nice.”

Seven points clear at the top of La Liga, Madrid no longer have Benzema within their ranks but do have arguably Europe’s best player this season in summer signing Jude Bellingham.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side were unconvincing in the round of 16, holding off an impressive Leipzig performance in the second leg to progress 2-1 on aggregate.

City host Newcastle in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, when Madrid are in league action at Osasuna.

Latest

Hancocks Jewellers Celebrates 165 Years at the Heart of Manchester’s Jewellery Scene

Marking 165 years in business, Hancocks Jewellers proudly stands as Manchester’s oldest and most enduring name in fine jewellery. Since 1860, the boutique has...

Marketing Signals Introduces AI Search Optimisation to Navigate New Discovery Era

Digital agency Marketing Signals has unveiled its latest service—AI Search Optimisation—developed to help businesses adjust to the rapidly shifting world of AI-led search and...

AIXA’s 2025 Green Mining Launch Sets New Industry Standard

AIXA Miner has launched a sustainable crypto mining system designed for 2025, positioning itself at the forefront of eco-innovation in a field often criticised...

Birmingham 2027 Invictus Games Opens Opportunities for West Midlands SMEs

SMEs throughout the West Midlands are being offered a chance to contribute to one of the world’s most moving sporting events—the 11th Invictus Games,...
Subscribe to our newsletter
Business Manchester will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.
Don't miss

HSAT Leads the Way with 95%+ Precision in Cocoa Production Forecasts

HSAT has unveiled a technological breakthrough in predicting cocoa yields, consistently delivering accuracy levels above 95%. This progress positions HSAT’s CropGPT as the global benchmark...

Birmingham 2027 Invictus Games Opens Opportunities for West Midlands SMEs

SMEs throughout the West Midlands are being offered a chance to contribute to one of the world’s most moving sporting events—the 11th Invictus Games,...

Marketing Signals Introduces AI Search Optimisation to Navigate New Discovery Era

Digital agency Marketing Signals has unveiled its latest service—AI Search Optimisation—developed to help businesses adjust to the rapidly shifting world of AI-led search and...

AIXA’s 2025 Green Mining Launch Sets New Industry Standard

AIXA Miner has launched a sustainable crypto mining system designed for 2025, positioning itself at the forefront of eco-innovation in a field often criticised...

More News

Sale Sharks signs new wellbeing partner

Sale Sharks are delighted to announce Altius Healthcare as the club’s new official health and wellbeing partner.  With six clinics based around Greater Manchester, Altius’s...

Joe Fraser Gymnastics Club Arrives in Lichfield, Powered by LoveAdmin’s Tech

Olympic gymnast Joe Fraser is launching an exciting new gymnastics club in Lichfield, supported by technology partner LoveAdmin. The Joe Fraser Gymnastics Club is...

Sharks announce Ashton on Mersey School partnership 

Sale Sharks have announced an exciting new partnership with Ashton on Mersey School’s Sixth Form, aimed at giving students the unique opportunity to pursue...