Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola had no complaints about the difficulty of the task facing his side as they prepare to play Real Madrid in the play-offs for a place in the last-16 of the Champions League.

City and last season's champions will repeat last season's quarter-final (which Madrid won on penalties) after both disappointed in the group stage, with Real Madrid finishing 11th in the 36-team group, while Guardiola's side needed a 3-1 win at home to Bruges to just sneak into the playoffs in the 22nd place.

Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola reacts during the FA Cup semifinal match between Manchester City and Chelsea in London, Britain, on April 20, 2024. (Xinhua)

"We didn't deserve it (to qualify directly), we didn't get enough points to start in the eight first (places)," said Guardiola, when asked about having to face Real Madrid so early in the tournament.

"We played the second game away because we were not good in the group stage. We finished 22nd out of 24 - you cannot ask any favors," responded the Manchester City coach.

Guardiola looked at his side's surprising drop in form since the end of 2024, saying both City and Real Madrid have "had problems in terms of injuries during the season," but he added that Real Madrid have dealt well with the loss of players such as Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal "because they are still top of the league and fighting against Atletico Madrid. That shows again the consistency they have."

The former Barcelona and Bayern boss also praised Real Madrid's ability to come back from seemingly hopeless situations to win.

"In the end, they are a huge competitor. We know it. We have faced (them) many times and how in the tough moments they bring out the best of them - we know it. Of course, we have to make two good games to go through," he said, pointing out the threat of Madrid's attacking quartet of Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.

"It's impossible in 90/120/200 minutes to control these players. They are exceptional - how they combine, the runners, the ability one against one, how they keep the ball. All four are exceptional. Everybody knows it, so you have to reduce that involvement as much as possible," concluded Guardiola.

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