Manchester Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola says his facet’s Champions League tie with Actual Madrid ‘seems like a derby’ because of the variety of video games the perimeters have had towards one another in latest seasons.
Metropolis knew they’d play both holders Actual or Bayern Munich within the play-off spherical and their destiny was determined throughout Friday morning’s draw.
Actual knocked Metropolis out on the quarter-final stage final season and the perimeters have performed eight video games since Ferbuary 2020 – with Metropolis progressing in 2020 and 2023, and Actual knocking them out in 2022 and final 12 months.
The knockout part play-offs are set ✅#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/9KWMSgQWoD
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 31, 2025
“It seems like a derby already,” Guardiola stated. “It’s 4 years in a row going through Actual Madrid.
“However Bayern or Madrid – each had been actually powerful. Hopefully we will arrive within the first leg right here, after which at Madrid, as finest as attainable.”
Metropolis’s gruelling February schedule now sees them play Actual twice, Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal this Sunday.
Guardiola stated that Premier League sides get a tough journey with fixtures round Champions League video games in comparison with different sides in high European leagues.
‘The broadcasters resolve’
He stated: “The schedule is what it’s. Within the Premier League each crew has to play everybody. However usually within the Premier League they all the time put hardest schedules for groups in Europe.
“The schedule is essentially the most troublesome one as a result of it’s powerful to play towards Actual Madrid or Bayern Munich, however the issue is within the center is Newcastle.
PEP 💬 (On Rodri) I all the time imagine with lengthy accidents there’s a time you could respect… The primary month he was in Madrid on a regular basis. Now, it’s beautiful to have him right here within the locker room. His voice is essential… An important factor for Rodri now could be to recuperate nicely… Of… pic.twitter.com/ILKhSSmWKS
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) January 31, 2025
“We’re not complaining as a result of now we have unbelievable success enjoying that calendar.
“I keep in mind after I was in Barcelona and adopted the Premier League and Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger made identical complaints.
“Do you suppose it’s going to change? The broadcasters resolve, they don’t ask me what is healthier to play.”
Arsenal completed as runners as much as Metropolis in every of the previous two Premier League campaigns and Guardiola says he has big respect for the job his former assistant Mikel Arteta has finished with the Gunners.
He stated: “Our relationship is phenomenal. With him and his household, distinctive.
“After all we’re not in contact now, he has his enterprise and I’ve mine and different video games, however the respect now we have is all the time there.”