UCL: We are playing kings – EPL top coach hails Real Madrid

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has described Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid as the “kings” of the UEFA Champions League after the two clubs were paired together in the quarterfinal.

Recall that the Citizens, who are the current holders of the UCL title, thrashed the 14-time winners 5-1 on aggregate in the semi-final last season.

However, 12 months before that, Man City 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.”