Pep Guardiola makes Champions League vow after learning Man City's next opponents
Victory over Club Brugge on Wednesday night ensured Manchester City's place in the Champions League play-offs - where Bayern Munich or Real Madrid await
by Andy Dunn · The MirrorPep Guardiola admitted he felt “relief” at qualifying for the Champions League play-offs and is relishing a blockbuster showdown with either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
The Manchester City boss saw his side stage a second half fightback to overcome Club Brugge at the Etihad and they will now face the Spanish or German giants in a two-legged tie early in February.
And Guardiola believes players returning from injury and new recruits will give his struggling side a fighting chance against Bayern or Real.
He said: “Going to Bayern Munich or Real Madrid will be really tough but it's in two weeks and in two weeks we have a few players back, the new signings back, so hopefully we can do two good games.
“We suffered all season without players. To have these (new) players, you have more alternatives. Hopefully, Jeremy [Doku] is back as well so we have players to do it and do our best.
“It will be against THE team of the competition or the second or third team. It will be tough but I don’t know if they are happy to play against us. We will create problems and we will try to do it.”
City had trailed to a Raphael Onyedika strike at half-time but a fine individual effort from Mateo Kovacic began the fightback, which was complete by a Joel Ordonez own goal and a strike from substitute Savinho.
Guardiola said: “The first half was so academic, we didn't have the spark to do it against a team that defends really well.
“In the second half we lifted our souls and our hearts were free. We did it and now it is time to enjoy it because it has been a really, really tough season in the Champions League. We struggled a lot but finally we could qualify and the draw is the draw. We'll see."
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