I don’t fear them – Pep Guardiola on facing Real Madrid

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has said he doesn’t fear 14-time UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid. The Spaniard said he has all the respect for the La Liga giants.

City played a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first-leg quarterfinal of the UCL against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The Cityzens will next take on Carlo Ancelotti’s team in the second leg and Guardiola knows he will have his work cut out.

“I don’t fear them,” Guardiola told a news conference on Tuesday. “I respect them a lot. I’ve faced them many times. I respect Real Madrid and if I say I’m scared of them, I would be false.

“There’s the rivalry, you want to beat them and do well. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. But I’m not scared of them and if they beat me — as has happened many times — we will say congratulations and wish them well.”

Meanwhile, City had thrashed Real Madrid by 4-0 in the second leg semifinal in the UCL in the previous season. City’s midfielder Bernardo Silva feels Real Madrid has a better team this season.

“Two different seasons, and it never happens the same game in football again,” said Silva. “I feel Madrid is stronger this season than last season. That was my feeling when we played them at the Bernabeu [last week]. For sure they will want a bit of revenge [for the result in Manchester last season] so it will be a very difficult game.”

City is chasing a treble for the second consecutive year and Silva added it is an inspiration for them.

“It’s obviously an inspiration,” Silva added. “We know how well this team has done and we want to create that legacy and to do another Premier League to do six in seven years and four in a row and we want to win the Champions League to do two in a row and if we win two trebles in a row that would be legacy.

“In one week we could be out of all the competitions but we are fighting for it.”

Manchester City will take on Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.