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.
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“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.”
Highlights from THAT epic night at the Etihad against Real Madrid! 🏆✨ pic.twitter.com/jNbOT9qIoN
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 15, 2024
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.
