Pep Guardiola has promised that Manchester City will present significant challenges to either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich when they face off next month, despite his concerns about their current form.
Guardiola made the remarks following a tense 3-1 victory over Club Brugge on Wednesday, a match in which City had to rally from a 1-0 deficit in the second half to secure their place in the Champions League knockout stages.
This victory, which kept City’s hopes alive for the prestigious tournament, could lead them into a daunting clash with the defending Champions League holders, Real Madrid, or Bayern Munich, a club Guardiola previously managed.
Guardiola noted that while City’s current form is far from perfect, he is optimistic that the team will improve as key players return from injury. Furthermore, the addition of new signings such as Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis should strengthen the squad in the coming weeks.
“Right now no. I’m so realistic,” said Guardiola when asked about Manchester City’s chances of winning the Champions League this year. “Madrid is back in terms of results, Bayern played an incredible season so far with (coach) Vinny (Kompany). If we have to play tomorrow it will be difficult but in two weeks we don’t know. We are going to prepare well, be fit and try it and see what happens.”
Despite the club’s ongoing struggles, especially in the Premier League where they currently sit fourth, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool, Guardiola remains positive. He pointed to their recent record of six wins and one draw in their last eight matches as a sign of improvement.
He acknowledged that Manchester City is not in the title race for the Premier League but expressed confidence that the team’s mentality and form will improve over time.
“At least lately we are getting results,” Guardiola said. “We are fourth in Premier League, not in the title race, no way, but still we are there. FA Cup we are there. Sometimes it is impossible today but tomorrow the mindset, the vibes change and I’m pretty sure we will try and create problems for Madrid or Bayern.”
City’s recent escape from the group stage was a dramatic moment in the inaugural season of the Champions League’s new Swiss format. Guardiola admitted that although the new format makes the competition more exciting for fans, it also adds to the pressure on managers and players. He emphasized that the expanded group stages mean big clubs could face the same struggles City experienced this season.
“As a spectator how many things (were still to be decided) is nice. The problem is we play more games in October, November, December and in the future important teams will live what we lived this season,” Guardiola noted. “We were on the verge, 45 minutes from being out. It is an incredible lesson for me, the club that nothing is (taken) for granted. Congratulate the team because still they have pride and we’ll see how we arrive in two weeks.”
