Guardiola reacts to drawing Real Madrid in UCL knockout playoffs – ‘Like a derby’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid had a 50% chance of facing Manchester City in the playoff round of the UEFA Champions League with Celtic being the other club they could have drawn.

The draw earlier today, however, pitted them against Pep Guardiola’s side once more. Notably, the winner of the game between the two giants has gone on to win in the last three editions of the competition.

This time, however, the Premier League side enter the game in poor form as they have struggled over the past few months. In the Champions League, however, nothing can be said about favourites.

Guardiola’s reaction

Speaking to the media earlier today, the Manchester City manager reacted to drawing Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League playoff round and joked about it becoming a regular annual fixture at this point.

“It looks like a derby already – four years in a row facing Madrid,” said the Man City boss.

The former Barcelona manager then spoke on how the team’s poor campaign so far left them with no choice but to face one of the European giants in the playoff round.

“Madrid or Bayern were both really tough and hopefully we can arrive for the first leg here and then one week later in Madrid as best as possible,” noted Guardiola.

Set to face off again. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The Manchester City tactician then spoke on the gruelling calendar and how it would be difficult to accommodate two tough games against Real Madrid with the Premier League schedule not leaving much breathing space.

“We started in Paris and then Chelsea, so we are already there with difficult games. The schedule is what it is,” said Guardiola.

“In the Premier League, everyone has to play everyone but it normally happens in the Premier League that the teams in Europe have the toughest schedule,” he added.

Finally, he commented on the gruelling calendar ahead in the coming weeks, especially with the clash against Newcastle sandwiched between the two legs against Real Madrid.

“It’s tough playing against Real or Bayern and the problem is in the middle playing Newcastle. They are always so kind in the calendar for many years,” he stated.

Source: Manchester Evening News