Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has openly expressed his desire to steer clear of Barcelona in this season’s Champions League, citing sentimental reasons tied to his past with the club. After facing disappointment last season when City was eliminated by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, Guardiola’s focus is now on ensuring a successful run in this year’s competition.
City has made a strong start to their European campaign, beginning with a draw against Inter and following it up with an impressive 4-0 victory over Slovan Bratislava. As the Premier League champions prepare for upcoming fixtures against Sparta Prague, Sporting CP, Feyenoord, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, and Club Bruges, Guardiola remains wary of a potential clash with his former club.
Barcelona, on the other hand, experienced a rocky start to their Champions League journey, suffering a defeat against Monaco before bouncing back with a commanding 5-0 victory over Young Boys at home.
During a recent appearance on the Italian chat show Che Tempo Che Fa, Guardiola was directly asked which team he would prefer to avoid in the tournament. He replied, “Good question. Barcelona maybe.” He elaborated on his feelings, stating, “The affection I have for them destroys me. I was born in a small town nearby; it’s never easy to play against them.”
When discussing the new Champions League format, Guardiola admitted his confusion, saying, “I don’t understand, I just coach. I think we’ll be able to answer this question only at the end of the season.”
Guardiola also took the opportunity to reflect on his time with Lionel Messi at Barcelona, calling the Argentine “the best player of all time.” He noted the importance of understanding players like Messi to unlock their potential. “When you see him up close, you think of Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan,” he added, expressing gratitude for having witnessed such extraordinary talent during his career.
As the Champions League progresses, all eyes will be on whether Guardiola’s wish to avoid a reunion with Barcelona comes true, especially as both teams vie for success on the European stage.