‘We’re playing kings of the competition’ – Guardiola on Real Madrid

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hailed Real Madrid as the “kings” of the UEFA Champions League after the two clubs were drawn together in the quarterfinal.

City, who are the current holders, thrashed the 14-time winners 5-1 on aggregate in the semi-final last season.

However, 12 months prior, Guardiola’s men were stunned in a dramatic second leg at the Bernabeu and crashed out 6-5 on aggregate after extra time.

Meeting a round earlier this time around, Guardiola said: “It’s a bit like a tradition, three years in a row playing the king of the competition who have won 14 Champions Leagues. It is what it is. Hopefully, we can have a good moment. [There are] still a few weeks before the first game in Madrid. We’ll see.”