Pep Guardiola expecting difficult Champions League game against Bayern

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has stated that Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League first-leg quarterfinal clash against Bayern Munich is going to be a difficult game, just like every other game.

Manchester City are still in contention for a treble this season as they are six points behind Arsenal in the Premier League race, a quarterfinal in the UEFA Champions League, and still in contention for the FA Cup as well.

Bayern Munich travel to Etihad Stadium on Tuesday for a fixture against their former manager Pep Guardiola who currently leads Manchester City. Guardiola was at Bayern Munich between 2013 and 2016.

Despite his success locally with Manchester City, Guardiola’s best performance in the UEFA Champions League for the club is a final appearance against Chelsea in 2021. While the team was close to another final appearance last year, only to lose sensationally to Real Madrid in the second-leg semi-final clash.

The route is still long, but any hopes or chances of making it to the final again this season must start with a victory against a strong Bayern Munich side, although Pep Guardiola feels he has what it takes to defeat the Bavarian giants based on his experience while at the club.

“All games are so difficult. From my experience when I was there, I had the feeling it doesn’t matter where you play, you have to be Bayern Munich, and you have to try to win. If they defend maybe more than usual, it’s because we’re doing well. But if we are not doing well, we are going to defend more than usual.” Guardiola said.

Manchester City knocked out RB Leipzig for a place in the quarterfinal, while Bayern Munich got past PSG. Tuesday’s other quarterfinal fixture will be a game between Benfica and Inter in Lisbon.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu