Man City vs Real Madrid: Pep Guardiola Seeks to Set Champions League Record Ahead of Cracker

• The Man City vs Real Madrid Champions League encounter will be Pep Guardiola's 20th meeting against the La Liga giants
• Guardiola boasts an incredible record against Real, including the privilege of eliminating them from the Champions League on two occasions
• Should City edge the Spanish side in the two-legged fixture, Guardiola would become the first manager in the history of the competition to eliminate the 13-time champs three times

Man City boss Pep Guardiola is in line to set an incredible Champions League record as his side prepare to battle Real Madrid in the first leg of their semi-final fixture.

City set up a crunch meeting with Real in the last four of the European competition after seeing off Atletico Madrid in the quarters.

The Tuesday night, April 26, clash will present Guardiola with the opportunity of facing Real Madrid for the 20th time in his managerial career.

Most of the Spaniard's clashes with the Santiago Bernabeu side came during his reign as Barcelona boss.

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Football

Pep Guardiola's record against Real Madrid

Guardiola has come up against Real Madrid twice in the Champions League - winning against the Los Blancos on both occasions.

The 51-year-old's first meeting with Real in the European competition was a decade ago when his then Barcelona side won 3-1 on aggregate in the semis.

As Man City boss, Pep led the Citizens to a 4-2 thrilling aggregate win over Real Madrid during the 2019/20 campaign, eliminating the La Liga side from the competition in the Round of 16.

Should City edge past Real Madrid over the two legs this season, Guardiola would become the first manager in the Champions League history to eliminate the 13-time European champions on three occasions in the continental showpiece competition.

Guardiola's only defeat against Real in the UCL came during his tenure as Bayern boss when Los Blancos won 5-0 on aggregate against the Bavarians.

In terms of head-to-head, City have met with Real on six occasions, with both teams winning twice each and the other two fixtures ending in draws.

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Real Madrid reach deal to sign Rudiger

Earlier, Sports Brief Antonio Rudiger will reportedly be playing at Real Madrid next season as the Spanish giants have reached verbal terms with him.

The Chelsea defender is set to leave the Premier League as soon as his contract at Stamford Bridge lapses at the end of next month.

Rudiger has reportedly lowered his wage demands and that has handed Madrid a boost as other clubs also chase the Germany international.