Guardiola: 'Only Real can win the Champions League consecutively'
"I feel lucky to be at Man City," Guardiola said on February 21 at a press conference before the match against RB Leipzig in the first leg of the 1/8 round of the Champions League. "When I came to Man City, I never thought that every year we have to win the Champions League, or have to win three or four Champions Leagues. Except for Real Madrid, no club can do that."
The Spanish coach then asserted that he did not consider being empty-handed in a season as a disaster or something heavy, as the majority thought.
Real is the most successful club in Europe with 14 times Champions League / European Cup Winners. In particular, the royal team holds the record of three consecutive championships in the 2016-2018 period, under Zinedine Zidane.
Guardiola came to Man City in 2016 and won every domestic title, including four Premier Leagues, one FA Cup, four League Cups, and two English Super Cups. However, Man City's best performance in the Champions League was reaching the final in 2021, where they lost 0-1 to Chelsea because of Kai Havertz's only goal.
Guardiola stressed that what he achieved in the Champions League with Man City will never be enough to please the media or his critics. Therefore, the Spanish coach wants to enjoy the "privilege" of participating in the most prestigious European club competition and accept the "written fate".
"I don't know how far Man City will go this season," said Guardiola. "Every year, it's getting harder and harder to qualify for the Champions League. It's also very difficult to get past the group stage. Our goal now is just to play two great games against RB Leipzig and then get to the quarter-finals."
The 52-year-old coach is satisfied with his career, despite being criticized for not helping Bayern or Man City to win the Champions League. "If my career ends tomorrow, I still feel lucky and grateful for what I've done with Barca, Bayern and Man City in Europe," Guardiola said. "I couldn't have imagined that I would have the career I have now. Not only in terms of achievements, but the way we play. I love that and couldn't ask for more."
Legendary Thierry Henry commented that Man City's play was too predictable with Erling Haaland in the front line, after the 3-1 win over Arsenal and 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. When asked about these statements of the French player, Guardiola replied: "I understand exactly what Henry wants to say. But whether the game is predictable or not has nothing to do with Haaland. It is about how we deploy between the two. lines and put the ball on one-third of the opponent's court".
Guardiola confirmed Kevin de Bruyne, Aymeric Laporte "not feeling well" after the Nottingham draw and will not play today. He also said that the duo may not be able to return to the match against Bournemouth in the 25th round of the Premier League on February 25.
