Guardiola Believes Manchester City Won’t Allow Complacency Ruin Their Champions League Return Leg With Real Madrid In Round Of 16

As the remaining European clubs have learnt their quarter final opponents even as some have not rounded the remaining return leg of matches in the Champions League round of 16, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted it was still too early to think of a possible quarter-final clash against Juventus as Real Madrid are still a dangerous team despite 1-2 home defeat in the first leg.


Guardiola said on Friday that he was not looking forward to a possible Champions League quarter-final against Juventus as any loss of focus could cause Real Madrid to qualify ahead of them to the quarter final. 


City leads Real 2-1 heading to the return leg at Etihad Stadium on August 7 and would face Cristiano Ronaldos Juve in the quarterfinals if both teams progressed. The Italians lost 1-0 to Olympique Lyonnais in France in the first leg.

Speaking to reporters ahead of their Saturday’s Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion as cited by Sports Central, Guardiola said: “In this organization there is no one who knows Real better than me. They are the dominant team in the Champions League and we have to focus on them. “We think about Real. If we think about the next step when we are playing against the king of this competition, they will put us out.

Guardiola has confirmed that Argentine striker Sergio Aguero, who underwent knee surgery in Barcelona, last month, will not be available to play against the 13 European champions.


The club striker limped with a knee injury in the Premier League's 5-0 home victory over Burnley last month.


City's appeal against a two-year ban from European football was heard last month by the Sports Arbitration Committee (CAS), and Guardiola was confident that the UEFA ban would be lifted when the decision is announced on Monday.

He said: “The intention every season is to play in the Champions League and do the best possible. It is not about what will happen on Monday. “I’m confident because I saw the arguments of the club that next season we will be there but we have to wait and after I give my opinion or the club will give their statement.

A victory in Brighton would confirm City's place in the top 4 and stop three consecutive road losses the worst away run in Guardiola's managerial career.

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