Manchester City vs Schalke: Pep Guardiola admits he wants Bayern to beat Liverpool in Champions League
The ex-Bayern boss admitted that he still has a great deal of affection for his former employers
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Pep Guardiola is hoping Bayern Munich progress past Liverpool into the Champions League quarter-finals after seeing his Manchester City side reach the last eight.
Guardiola, who managed Bayern to three Bundesliga titles between 2013 and 2016, admitted that he still has a great deal of affection for his former employers.
City booked their place in Friday’s quarter-final draw with a resounding 7-0 second-leg win over Schalke 04 on Tuesday night.
And Guardiola could face Bayern in the next round if the Bavarians overcome Liverpool, City’s Premier League title rivals.
When asked how he saw Wednesday’s last-16 tie playing out, Guardiola said: “I want Bayern, sorry for the English people.
“I am big fan of this club and I love Munich and all the people, I would like Bayern to go through but it will not be easy. It is so demanding a game for both.
“In terms of what happened with German teams, last decade the Spanish teams control everything with Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico arriving many times in the finals.
“Now Real and Atletico is out. Hopefully Barcelona go through. For English football it is incredible, three teams and maybe Liverpool.”
City were utterly rampant against Schalke, stretching their 3-2 first-leg lead to 10-2 by the end of the night.
Few sides in Friday’s draw will fancy their chances against the Premier League champions but Guardiola was reluctant to suggest that his side’s display would worry other teams.
“I don’t know, but will be another situation,” he said. “There is still two, three weeks until the next game so we will see.
“Be calm, prepare the quarter-finals of [the FA] Cup at Swansea away and try and reach the semi-finals.
“The international break is a huge risk to the players. We need the players [fit] and if we can compete until the end but if the players who are injured don’t come back it won’t be possible.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments