Pep Guardiola Names Club that Can Stop Man City from Winning Champions League This Season

Pep Guardiola Names Club that Can Stop Man City from Winning Champions League This Season

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:56 PM
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  • Pep Guardiola has named Liverpool as direct rivals in Man City's race to win the Champions League
  • City are yet to win the European competition in their history and only came close last season when they reached the final
  • However, they have shown a clear intent to go all the way, once again, following their huge 5-0 win over Sporting Lisbon in the first-leg of the round of 16

Pep Guardiola has once again set his sights on leading Man City to their first-ever Champions League title this season.

City came close to winning the tournament last season but missed out on it after they suffered a 1-0 defeat to rivals, Chelsea, in the final.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola. Photo: Getty Images.
Pep Guardiola has named Liverpool as direct rivals in Man City's race to win the Champions League. Photo: Getty Images.
Source: Getty Images

The Citizens already have one foot in the quarter-final of the Champions League after they demolished Sporting Lisbon 5-0 in the first leg of their last 16 fixture played in Portugal on Tuesday night, February 15.

Bernardo Silva scored a brace in the rout, with Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling also scoring a goal apiece to inspire City to a huge win.

Pep Guardiola on City's closest rival for UCL

And when asked who he felt could stand in their way to conquering Europe, Guardiola did not hesitate to name Liverpool.

“On current form, you’re scoring with nearly every chance, even in the Premier League. What team out there can beat you?” Peter Schmeichel probed Pep.
“Liverpool,” the City boss responded.
"They’ve been our biggest rivals in the past few seasons and are always there – all the time! They are a fantastic team in Europe," he added.

Liverpool to face Inter Milan

Meanwhile, Liverpool will be facing in-form Inter Milan in the round of 16, with the first leg scheduled for Wednesday, February 16, in Italy.

A win for the Reds at the San Siro would definitely send a strong message to every team in the competition, including City.

Liverpool are eyeing their seventh Champions League title, having won the competition seven times, the most by any team in England.

PSG stun Real Madrid

Earlier, Sports Brief reported PSG emerged victorious over their rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 first leg thanks to a Kylian Mbappe winner.

Mbappe brilliantly found the back of the net in stoppage time to help his side avoid a frustrating 0-0 draw.

Lionel Messi had the best chance to hand PSG the lead but saw his penalty saved by Thibaut Courtois.

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Fred Kennedy
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Jürgen KloppPep Guardiola