Real Madrid clash ‘like a derby’ says Pep

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says his side’s Champions League tie with Real Madrid ‘feels like a derby’ thanks to the number of games the sides have had against each other in recent seasons.

City knew they would play either holders Real or Bayern Munich in the play-off round and their fate was decided during Friday morning’s draw.

Real knocked City out at the quarter-final stage last season and the sides have played eight games since Ferbuary 2020 – with City progressing in 2020 and 2023, and Real knocking them out in 2022 and last year.

The knockout phase play-offs are set ✅#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/9KWMSgQWoD

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 31, 2025

“It feels like a derby already,” Guardiola said. “It’s four years in a row facing Real Madrid.

“But Bayern or Madrid – both were really tough. Hopefully we can arrive in the first leg here, and then at Madrid, as best as possible.”

City’s gruelling February schedule now sees them play Real twice, Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal this Sunday.

Guardiola said that Premier League sides get a rough ride with fixtures around Champions League games compared to other sides in top European leagues.

‘The broadcasters decide’

He said: “The schedule is what it is. In the Premier League every team has to play everyone. But normally in the Premier League they always put toughest schedules for teams in Europe.

“The schedule is the most difficult one because it is tough to play against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, but the problem is in the middle is Newcastle.

PEP 💬 (On Rodri) I always believe with long injuries there’s a time you must respect… The first month he was in Madrid all the time. Now, it’s lovely to have him here in the locker room. His voice is important… The most important thing for Rodri now is to recover well… Of… pic.twitter.com/ILKhSSmWKS

— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 31, 2025

“We are not complaining because we have incredible success playing that calendar.

“I remember when I was in Barcelona and followed the Premier League and Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger made same complaints.

“Do you think it is going to change? The broadcasters decide, they don’t ask me what is better to play.”

Arsenal finished as runners up to City in each of the past two Premier League campaigns and Guardiola says he has huge respect for the job his former assistant Mikel Arteta has done with the Gunners.

He said: “Our relationship is exceptional. With him and his family, exceptional.

“Of course we are not in touch now, he has his business and I have mine and other games, but the respect we have is always there.”