Home SPORTS Guardiola Confident Manchester City Can Cause Problems for Real Madrid or Bayern Munich

Guardiola Confident Manchester City Can Cause Problems for Real Madrid or Bayern Munich

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Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City can still cause problems for Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the Champions League, despite their struggles in the group stage and in the Premier League.



Pep Guardiola has expressed confidence that Manchester City will pose problems for either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the Champions League knockout stages. Despite acknowledging that his team's current form is not sufficient to win the competition, Guardiola believes City will improve when they face one of the European powerhouses next month.


Manchester City secured their spot in the knockout stages with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Club Brugge on Wednesday. Trailing 1-0 at halftime, City mounted a second-half comeback to avoid a shocking group-stage exit. The victory sets up a potential showdown with either Real Madrid, the defending champions, or Bayern Munich, Guardiola's former club.


Guardiola's assessment of City's chances comes amidst a disappointing Premier League campaign, where they sit fourth, 12 points adrift of leaders Liverpool. Despite their domestic struggles, Guardiola remains optimistic about City's ability to rise to the challenge against top-tier European opposition.


Pep Guardiola is hopeful that Manchester City's fortunes will change with the return of key players from injury and the integration of new signings Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis in the coming weeks. When asked if City could win the Champions League again, Guardiola replied, “Right now, no. I'm so realistic.” He acknowledged the strength of potential opponents, saying, “Madrid is back in terms of results, Bayern played an incredible season so far with (coach) Vinny (Kompany).”


Guardiola emphasized that City's chances will improve with time, stating, “If we have to play tomorrow, it will be difficult, but in two weeks, we don't know.” He expressed determination, saying, “We are going to prepare well, be fit, and try it and see what happens.” Despite City's struggles, Guardiola pointed out that they have been getting results, winning six and drawing one of their last eight games. “At least lately, we are getting results,” he added. “We are fourth in the Premier League, not in the title race, no way, but still, we are there.”




Guardiola believes that City can still cause problems for their potential opponents, saying, “FA Cup, we are there. Sometimes it is impossible today, but tomorrow the mindset, the vibes change, and I'm pretty sure we will try and create problems for Madrid or Bayern.” The City manager acknowledged that the new Swiss model format of the Champions League has made the early stages more appealing to fans, but also caused him more tension. “As a spectator, how many things (were still to be decided) is nice,” Guardiola said. “The problem is we play more games in October, November, December, and in the future, important teams will live what we lived this season.”




Guardiola reflected on City's narrow escape from group-stage elimination, saying, “We were on the verge, 45 minutes from being out. It is an incredible lesson for me, the club that nothing is (taken) for granted.” He praised his team's pride and resilience, stating, ”Congratulate the team because still they have pride, and we'll see how we arrive in two weeks.”



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