'Real Madrid Has Not Been My Biggest Challenge'! Guardiola Names Biggest Hurdle He Has Come Up Against!

Last Updated:March 18, 2026, 13:31 IST

City boss Guardiola opined that overcoming the Spanish Capital City side wasn't the biggest challenge of his sprawling career, and that honour belongs to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who was ousted from the UEFA Champions League at the hands of record-winners Real Madrid on a 5-1 aggregate, opined that overcoming the Spanish Capital City side wasn’t the biggest challenge of his sprawling career, and that honour belongs to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

City were knocked out of the UCL in the Round of 16 on Wednesday as Real Madrid compounded their first leg win with yet another 2-1 triumph on the road as Vinicius Junior netted a brace to send the Mancunian club crashing out of the continental competition.

“Real Madrid has not been my biggest challenge. My biggest challenge has been Jurgen Klopp, but you haven’t realized it," the Catalan boss said.

He also reiterated that City would have to raise their standards to a level where not clinching the coveted UCL would be considered a failure.

“I would love this club to be like Madrid where if you don’t win the Champions League, it is a failure. That is pressure.

“At City it is not the expectation. In time maybe we will get that."

City went a man down early ion the second leg of the knockout fixture as Bernardo Silva was given the marching orders for handling the ball inside the box as Vini stepped up to convert the chance from the spot. Erling Haaland stuck to restore parity in the match, but Brazilian Vini struck again in second half additional time to give Madrid their second win over City this season, following up on he first leg of the tie which ended 3-0 in favour of the Spaniards thanks to Fede Valverde’s treble.

“Still we are not complete. Still there are things in certain moments (where) we need to be more clinical, but my feeling is it will be a question of time," said Guardiola.

“We are not a complete team, that is a reality. I’ve been in a team in Manchester City where we were a team in all aspects. Still we are not, but we have a final on Sunday, FA Cup against Liverpool and the Premier League is still tight.

“We need to finish the Premier League strong, prepare good decisions for the summer and next season we will be back in the Champions League," he added.

News sports football 'Real Madrid Has Not Been My Biggest Challenge'! Guardiola Names Biggest Hurdle He Has Come Up Against!

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