Pep Guardiola has questioned the format of the expanded Champions League after Manchester City were drawn to face Real Madrid despite meeting in the league phase
Pep Guardiola has described the new Champions League format as 'weird' after learning Manchester City will play Real Madrid again in the last 16 - just months after beating them in the league phase.
City, who won the competition for the first time back in 2023, have now played the Spanish giants in various stages of the Champions League for five successive years. The new extended format, which was implemented two years ago, fails to prevent teams who faced off in the initial league phase meeting in the first knockout round.
That means City and Real will meet again just a little over two months since Guardiola's team were victorious at the Bernabeu.
And the former Barcelona head coach has suggested that the competition should tweak the rules to ensure teams who meet in the league phase are kept apart in the last 16.
“Yes, it is a little bit weird [to face Real Madrid again],” he said. “Not many times does it happen that the last game of the group stage — Real Madrid v Benfica — is the first draw. It looks different. People will agree or disagree, but it is different.”
When he was asked if UEFA should change the rules, Guardiola replied: “Why not? How many times have we played against Newcastle this season [the Premier League clubs meet in the FA Cup next weekend, having already contested a two-legged Carabao Cup semi- final]? Hopefully we can play against them in the [Champions League] final!
“Today is different. When I started, it was eight, nine, ten teams, they want to increase a lot with the schedule and calendar. It is a question of adapting. What can we do?”
The teams still alive and kicking in the tournament now know their prospective routes to the final, which will be held at the end of May in Budapest.
But Guardiola refuted claims that Manchester City are on the more challenging side of the draw, saying: “[It] would be so disrespectful [to], for example, Newcastle, Barcelona, top teams, Atletico Madrid or Spurs. So I’m not a fan of that [saying it’s the easier half of the draw].
“The Champions League is so difficult. I’m not saying Madrid is not difficult, everybody knows it, but the rest of the teams that you play, I don’t know, you can name me any team, all of them, they have the 'trick'. If you want to go through in this competition right now, you have to win against the best teams, otherwise you don’t deserve it.”
AFerwPsS1926
0
Arsenal fans feeling like they’ve already won the UCL because they gave them fiddle opponents. Let’s wait and see if they can eliminate Barcelona. Pep is very much right, if FIFA can staged the world cup for Argentina why can’t UEFA stage this for a certain club?? Look at the group, only Barcelona have won the competition in that group, it’s suspicious!!
AFerzBHm1894
0
I thought that English teams can beat anyone
I wonder ooo
kuyclnotz
0
Coward always what's rules to change on his favor
lol 😂 you hate him because he's hunting ur team to not win lol 😂
Payceklmrt
0
These people do betting.No one is perfect.part of betting.
Firedragon147
0
Some of you guys are as dumb as a chicken. Pep is right. These guys fix these games, anyone with 5 senses knows that. RM vs Benfica for the playoffs was talked abt b4 the draws were even made. What Pep is simply saying is, it would be nice if the draws were really random. Bcos they aren't.
And talking about a game before it's dates are finalized means people know the rules, read the damm rules, will ya?
widcdemnot
0
🤣🤣🤣😂 so embarrassing
Firedragon147
0
Some of you guys are as dumb as a chicken. Pep is right. These guys fix these games, anyone with 5 senses knows that. RM vs Benfica for the playoffs was talked abt b4 the draws were even made. What Pep is simply saying is, it would be nice if the draws were really random. Bcos they aren't.
Yeah, Madrid and uefa planned with Benfica to lose in the 90th minute in group stage. Then win against them in knockout so they could finally play city. Maybe city should have topped the league or not qualify to counter Madrid's evil plan.
Firedragon147
0
its all plot against Real Madrid to eliminate them at the early KO stage... whiles Barcelona getting easy way out...
If you really think Newcastle is easy, especially for a laliga side, you should start watching golf.
Firedragon147
0
Out of the 6, 5 managed direct qualifications, which means they can't meet each other. Read the rules before ranting...
wiybcknosu
0
Take it or leave it, this is applicable to every one playing the competition. If every team could choose who to play, will never have champion
my-blood-is-red
0
That rat is under your bed.
Very correct
Lipdekrz
1
most of the fans are tired seeing one soup over n over in 7yrs to eat the same soup 6 times its bullshit
Lipdekrz
1
I agreed with Pep
Lipdekrz
1
it's a nonsense draw
homdilpstz
0
Coward always what's rules to change on his favor
akintayoibraheem
0
You all English team are now shivering 🥶 Nervous to learn your knockout opponents? Why you scared I think you were all champion? 🤣😂
at this situation only see arsenal for the next stage but all the best for all the team in epl
TheHerony
3
its all plot against Real Madrid to eliminate them at the early KO stage... whiles Barcelona getting easy way out...
mupbimpsz
1
it true pep this strategy is not ok at all. better to brought back the odd one.
bamadiloty
0
Scared
Nutacmntu
0
if other teams were complaining, may be it's understandable, but only one manager complaining it doesn't make sense.
this is why he is complaining
icezicco
0
Look who's crying like a Baby 🙄 Back then when Arsenal we're playing Bayern Munich and Barcelona for 3 straight seasons in a row, no one sees that as a problem. Now the table has turned and suddenly, everyone has a problem the same system that Favours Barcelona for Decades.
You guys are just focused on the word Favoured, another phrase there is why didn't Pep complain that time? that Barca plays Arsenal too often
Cazadmstyz
1
if other teams were complaining, may be it's understandable, but only one manager complaining it doesn't make sense.
seycilouy
0
Pep must understand that if Benfica had won city woudnt play against Madrid bt Benfica
Sovoty
2
Some of you guys are as dumb as a chicken. Pep is right. These guys fix these games, anyone with 5 senses knows that. RM vs Benfica for the playoffs was talked abt b4 the draws were even made. What Pep is simply saying is, it would be nice if the draws were really random. Bcos they aren't.
podinptuyz
0
You all English team are now shivering 🥶 Nervous to learn your knockout opponents? Why you scared I think you were all champion? 🤣😂
I thought that English teams can beat anyone
podinptuyz
0
Look who's crying like a Baby 🙄 Back then when Arsenal we're playing Bayern Munich and Barcelona for 3 straight seasons in a row, no one sees that as a problem. Now the table has turned and suddenly, everyone has a problem the same system that Favours Barcelona for Decades.
So Barcelona being paired with Arsenal means that Barcelona is being favoured?
catadkost
1
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lopcilmnoy
0
who is so naive to say that city is afraid of Real he is correct in saying the teams that played in the league phase should not be playing each other it is monotonous it would've been better to Bayern
catadkost
1
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AFerzBHm1894
0
That rat is under your bed.
AFerzBHm1894
0
I think they don't want English team to go far from this competition..look at Newcastle vs Barcelona while Chelsea vs Paris saint Germain, Liverpool vs Galatasaray.
You all English team are now shivering 🥶 Nervous to learn your knockout opponents? Why you scared I think you were all champion? 🤣😂
AFerzBHm1894
0
Look who's crying like a Baby 🙄 Back then when Arsenal we're playing Bayern Munich and Barcelona for 3 straight seasons in a row, no one sees that as a problem. Now the table has turned and suddenly, everyone has a problem the same system that Favours Barcelona for Decades.
Favored Barcelona for decade? why they never past through quarter finals.. their only semis was last yr! When they got eliminated by psg. You definitely don’t know what you’re talking about. 💯
Buaimnoprt
1
ask arsenal who used to meet Bayern every season 😂
Yocbcimrsy
0
rules are for every team, why's pep afraid of real Madrid?
Bukadlouz
2
Look who's crying like a Baby 🙄 Back then when Arsenal we're playing Bayern Munich and Barcelona for 3 straight seasons in a row, no one sees that as a problem. Now the table has turned and suddenly, everyone has a problem the same system that Favours Barcelona for Decades.
adenijisamuel
0
I remember the same used to often happen between Chelsea and Barcelona. Mourinho once complained about it.
even arsnal vs bayern
akintayoibraheem
0
I think they don't want English team to go far from this competition..look at Newcastle vs Barcelona while Chelsea vs Paris saint Germain, Liverpool vs Galatasaray.
pidadioprt
1
He's actually saying the fact, the fixture is like a plan work
Zowcmnopry
0
I agree top club around of 16 not good for uefa
diwdlptz
0
stop cryig less play soccar
Koabcikmop
0
I remember the same used to often happen between Chelsea and Barcelona. Mourinho once complained about it.
shut up bro " how many times did they mate??
Utdw3Stand
11
yeeceprtz
3
In the old format they used to meet 4 times so stop complaining
yeeceprtz
0
it's true why really
You're an idiot, clubs used to meet even in the old format infact 4 times
yeeceprtz
0
It is not weird, clubs used to meet though in late stages even in the old format 🤣
Bibcdelstz
0
The way Guardiola is afraid of Madrid show very well he's from Barcelona
🤡😂😂
mupaiklmnu
1
UEFA can do anything for Real Madrid...Ban,suspend, fixture format,VAR etc etc..
Yaaamos
1
I remember the same used to often happen between Chelsea and Barcelona. Mourinho once complained about it.
voomosuyz
0
i agree with you
Riykorsty
2
I agree with Pep.