- Manchester City will face Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the competition
- This is the third year in a row that Pep Guardiola’s team has faced the Spanish team.
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Manchester City sporting director Txiki Begiristain joked he was “bored of the same balls” after drawing Real Madrid for the third consecutive year in the Champions League.
Real Madrid beat Pep Guardiola’s side 6-5 on aggregate before winning the competition in 2022, while City got their revenge a year later by winning 5-1 before lifting the trophy for the first time in the history of the club.
This year the teams will face off one round earlier than in the last two matches, with the winner facing either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the semi-final.
Begiristain was present at Friday’s draw in Switzerland and joked that it was a “shame” to have drawn the 14-time winners for the third year in a row.
Asked about the draw, he told Movistar according to Marca: “What a shame again, bored with these balls, always the same.”
Man City sporting director Txiki Begiristain joked he was “sick of the same balls” used in the Champions League after drawing Real Madrid for the third year in a row.
Guardiola’s side will face Real Madrid, with the winners facing either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the semi-final.
City beat Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate last year, after the Spanish giants got the better of the Premier League side a year before.
He added: “The draw is the same as last year, change Liverpool for Arsenal.
“We will try to remember what happened last year and that we managed to reach the final.
“They are those who have the most titles and this consistency of always being in the last phase.
“We consider ourselves strong, we are having a great Champions League, we have a good streak and these are trends.”
Manchester City’s victory over Real Madrid last year completed a historic treble, having won the Premier League and FA Cup.
They are currently in contention to match that feat this season, just one point behind Arsenal in the race for the Premier League title and in the FA Cup semi-finals following their 2-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday.
Real Madrid appear to be a stronger threat than last year, as they lead the La Liga table by eight points after finishing 10 behind rivals Barcelona in 2022-23.
Asked to give an analysis of Real Madrid, Begiristain said: “It’s their competition. Historically they have done poorly in La Liga and the Champions League have done well.
Begiristain was present at the Champions League draw which took place in Switzerland
Real Madrid and Manchester City are two of the favorites to win the trophy on June 1.
“The competition is coming and no matter what happens, plus this year they are the best in the league.
“But it doesn’t matter, they enjoy it and when they face it, they believe they will win it.”
City travel to the Santiago Bernabeu for the first leg on April 9, with the Spanish giants returning to the Etihad eight days later.
