Pep Guardiola will be hoping to avenge his team’s 2021 Champions League final loss to the then Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel.
Manchester City host Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinal first leg tonight as Guardiola continues his quest for a first European title with the club.
The fixture is expected to be a tactical battle as the Spaniard will face Tuchel who two years ago emerged victorious over him with Chelsea in the Champions League final.
Guardiola was in charge of Bayern Munich for three seasons and won three Bundesliga titles but failed to win a Champions League trophy for the German side.
However, the 52-year-old has insisted that Tuchel’s victory with Chelsea was in the past and it’s time to try again now.
“I was sad but I congratulated him and Chelsea for the victory. It happened, we try again. I don’t pay attention to what happened in the past…. It’s part of the game,” he said during the press conference.
And on locking horns with Tuchel, Guardiola added that it won’t be easy
“I try to figure out the quality they have in all departments. It would have been difficult with Julian Nagelsmann and also will be difficult against Tuchel, I don’t pay that much attention, more attention on what I do with my team,” he said.
Guardiola banking on Haaland to beat Bayern
Guardiola added that Erling Haaland will be key to his side if they are to succeed in the competition
“He is important for us, I cannot deny. He came to help us to be here in the Champions league…. To win that but as well as the FA Cup and the premier league as well.” he said
Manchester city will be banking on Haaland to get them the much-needed goals if they are succeeded in the competition.
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The Norwegian striker has reached 30 premier league goals this season and has 44 in all competitions.
He is currently the leading goal scorer in the Champions League with 10 goals to his name.
Meanwhile, Bayern will be hoping to avoid a repeat of their last meeting with Manchester City at Etihad, where they suffered a 3-2 defeat in the 2014/15 Champions League group stage with Guardiola in charge of the Bundesliga side.
