Josep Guardiola insists Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will be the biggest test of his managerial career despite Real Madrid knocking Manchester City out of the Champions League for the third successive season. Madrid defeated Man City 5-1 on aggregate in this year’s round of 16. Almost exactly 13 months after winning 6-3 on aggregate in last season’s knockout phase playoffs, they had won on penalties two years ago.
The two teams have played each other for five consecutive seasons, with Man City’s only victory coming in 2023, when they won their first Champions League trophy. The 5-1 aggregate win came just 12 months after the 6-5 defeat that cost them the chance to face Klopp’s Reds in Paris.
Along with Man City, Guardiola has faced Madrid more times in the Champions League than any other opponent, 13 times in total. Despite this, Klopp’s Liverpool are still seen as the tougher proposition.
When asked by a Spanish journalist whether the match against Madrid was the biggest test of his career, Guardiola replied: “No.” “Playing against Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool was the biggest challenge for me. You can hardly understand what it was like to play against Liverpool,” he said, translating from Spanish to English at the post-match press conference.
Manager Klopp spoke similarly warmly of Guardiola. Before the Catalan coach reached 1,000 games, he recorded a video message.
Red Bull’s global head of football said: “Pep, my friend, welcome to the 1000 club. I can’t believe you look so young, but you’ve already reached this absolutely incredible landmark.”
“I probably don’t need to say I got there 81 games ago, but that’s probably the only time I got there before you guys, so that’s okay.
“I’ve said it a million times, but it was a pleasure and an honor to play against you so many times in our career. It was the most difficult game, but the one I enjoyed the most anyway, because you were there, and you are an inspiration to all of us. The way you understand football is second to none. The enthusiasm you show every day is truly amazing.”
“So, yes, you’re now a member of another legendary club for the next 1000 people. OK, guys, good luck, talk soon, and have a great celebration. Maybe we’ll celebrate with a glass of red wine.”
