Pep Guardiola, pessimistic about City's possible victory in the quarterfinals against Real Madrid

The Manchester City will defend his crown of the UEFA Champions League in front of a Real Madrid that will look for revancha of the goleada suffered does a year in the Etihad Stadium (4-0). In the previous press conference to the gone in Santiago Bernabéu, Pep Guardiola admitted the difficulty that poses a crossing to the that, besides, arrives with several important drops in defence. "Beat twice followed to the Madrid is practically impossible. They have learnt, have pride", admitted the one of Santpedor.

Without Walker, Aké neither Gvardiol, the City could have a lot of problems to brake to the leading 'merengue'. In this sense, the Catalan trainer regretted the injuries in the decisive stretch of the season, although it left clear that his rival also has important absences in defence. "The things are like this. The Real Madrid also have problems with Praise, Courtois or Militao. The injuries are parts of a so long season".

Guardiola desvela The keys for 'survive' to the Bernabéu

Although it avoided 'wet' with favouritisms, Pep explained which will be the key to be able to surpass an eliminatory that it will be much more equalised that the one of 2023. "The previous win, the another lost. It is like a classical between us in the last years. I do not think that it was the situation of the past year. Have distinct players. Here the parties are long by a lot of reasons and expect several parties inside the same party".

Besides, it added: "The advantage is that have the turn home. They no only has power in transitions with Rodrygo, with Bellingham, with Vinicius... You have to be slope of a lot of his and yours things, like doing goal. It is necessary to impose our form to play", sentenced the Catalan technician. For Guardiola, the record in Chamartín is favourable like trainer, with 6 official victories (five with the Barça and one with the City in 2020).

Pep, proud of his 'DNA Barça'

On the other hand, the one of Santpedor recognised the importance of the Barça for his career in the benches. "In the Premier there are a lot of Basque trainers that are doing it incredible. Mikel Arteta was little in the academy of the Barcelona. For me, the influence of the Barça is remarkable like trainer. It has been it all, but also have changed with my experience these years. I began being recogepelotas and looks where have arrived", puntualizó Pep.