Pep Guardiola said Manchester City is desperate to win the Champions League this season and defended his team’s previous results in the tournament ahead of the quarterfinal clash against Bayern Munich Tuesday.
Ednews informs via CNN that despite domestic success and a fortune spent in the transfer market, the Champions League title has eluded Guardiola since his move to the Premier League club in 2016 and pressure is once again building on the team.
City is largely considered the favorite for this year’s competition but it must first navigate a way past the German champion.
“We want to try. It is an honor to be here against an elite club in Bayern Munich. We will not take it for granted,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of the first-leg at the Etihad Stadium.
The Spanish manager has not won the Champions League since 2011 with Barcelona, failing to also lift the trophy in his three seasons as Bayern Munich boss.
He did, however, reach the final with Manchester City in 2021 but eventually lost to league rival Chelsea.