Pep Guardiola seemed to suggest that people should cut his Manchester City team some slack in regards to the side’s failure to land their hands on the Champions League trophy.
The Spaniard won the Champions League twice during his time with Barcelona, but City have never lifted the trophy despite in recent times, coming out as one of the favourites.
The closest they came to European glory was in 2021 when they reached the final, but were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea who were at the time being managed by Thomas Tuchel.
The dream to win the Big Ears lives on, and in this year’s quarterfinal, they will be faced by Bayern Munich who are now managed by Tuchel, with the first leg happening on Tuesday at the Etihad stadium.
“We want to try. It’s an honour to be here, against an elite club like Bayern Munich. We are happy to be here,”Guardiola said
“You have to deserve it. Six, seven years ago when I arrived here – ‘you are here to win the Champions League’. It comes every season. We tried every season but there are teams you face who are good too, and they want to win it too.
“We want to try but that doesn’t mean we’re going to win. Jack Nicklaus, how many majors did he play in his career? 120? How many did he win? Eighteen – wow. He lost more than he won. Michael Jordan, the best athlete, won six NBA titles. How many years did he play? Sixteen? He lost more than he won.
“These games are so difficult. The important thing is to be here, compete well and do our best. If I lose, I lose. I’m not perfect.”
Tuchel was hired by Bayern last month to replace the sacked Julian Naglesmann who is currently reported to be wanted by both Chelsea and Tottenham. Guardiola was asked about the difference between the two Germans, he said;
“Both are so creative with the shape of their formations and the shape they play. We’ve seen the shape of Bayern Munich that Tuchel has played, but maybe tomorrow he’s going to do something new. Always we try to figure it out.
“They have quality in all departments. It would have been difficult with Nagelsmann and it will be difficult with Tuchel.”
He then insisted on being more focused on his own side other than their opponents.
“But at the same time, I don’t pay much attention to them and try to focus on our team.”
