Guardiola ready for 'derby' as City draw familiar foe Real Madrid in Champions League

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola
Manchester City boss Pep GuardiolaConor Molloy / ProSportsImages / DPPI via AFP / Profimedia
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has likened the repeat tie against Real Madrid as a "derby" after the pair drew each other once more in the Champions League on Friday as attention turns to the Citizens' weekend clash with former title rivals Arsenal.

Firstly, Guardiola opened up on facing Real Madrid in Champions League play-offs next month. 

"It feels like a derby already. 

"Four years in a row facing Real Madrid. 

"But Bayern or Madrid - both were really tough. Hopefully, we can arrive in the first leg here, and then at Madrid, as best as possible."

Manchester City's most recent form
Manchester City's most recent formFlashscore

The clash against the Spanish giants makes City’s schedule extremely tough over the coming weeks, Guardiola gave his response to the upcoming fixtures. 

"is what it is." 

Guardiola then gave a few more short answers when asked about three new players to his Champions League squad. 

"I don't know." 

When asked if Rodri could be one of those possible additions, he again gave a short answer. 

"I will not discuss that." 

The City boss then continued on the busy February schedule, which he says will be tough for his side, which has been inconsistent so far this season. 

"We already start in Paris and then face Chelsea, so we are already there in amount of difficult games. 

"Schedule is what it is. In Premier League every team has to play everyone. But normally in Premier League they always put toughest schedules for teams in Europe. 

"Schedule the most difficult ones because it is tough to play against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, but the problem is in the middle is Newcastle. 

"Always they are so kind for the calendar, so many years, always happens in that way."

Manchester City's next fixtures
Manchester City's next fixturesFlashscore

He then expanded on his comments about Manchester City's tough calendar when asked if he was complaining about his upcoming games. 

"Are you asking me that question after many years here? Come on. Don’t make me that question to say something and then pull out that. 

"You have been here many years before me and always been like that. Not complaining because we have had incredible success playing that calendar. 

 "Said many times, last season, we played a quarter-final against Madrid and three days later we had an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley when we could have another day. But we survive. 

 "I remember when I was in Barcelona and followed the Premier League and Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger made same complaints. 

 "Do you think it is going to change? 

 "The broadcaster decides, they don’t ask me what is better to play." 

The Spanish head coach if facing Arsenal has become a grudge match after recent games to which he responded with “no”. 

He was then questioned on his relationship with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and how it is at the present moment. 

"Exceptional. With him and his family, exceptional. 

"Of course, not in touch now, he has his business and I have mine and other games, but the respect we have is always there."

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