Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola Reacts to Controversial UCL Blunders as Citizens Are Redrawn

• Pep Guardiola has backed UEFA officials over the chaos that saw a redraw of the Champions League round of 16 fixtures
• Manchester City were originally pitched against Villarreal, but they will now take on Sporting Lisbon following a redraw
• According to the Man City boss, mistakes of such nature are bound to happen and there should be no room for suspicion

Manager of Premier League club Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, has said that errors sometimes happen and that there are no suspicions about the Champions League redraw, Daily Star reports.

The Citizens were earlier pitched against Villarreal, but a redraw will now see them take on Sporting Lisbon in the round of 16 of the competition.

Despite the change of opponents, Guardiola seems unmoved as he said his side will be coming all out against their Portuguese opponents.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Man City’s Premier League clash with Leeds United, the tactician bares his mind about the whole chaos that happened during the Champions League draw.

Full Champions League Round of 16 Draw as Chelsea, Man United Land Tough Opponents

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He said via Rifnote:

“It's going to happen again. I think it's fair. It was a mistake and this kind of thing sometimes happens. You have to repeat so there are no suspicions. In February we [City] are going to arrive in the best moment as possible.”

He also spoke about their new opponent in the round of 16:

“People say ‘this opening is better than the other one’ but all openings is difficult."

The draw, taking place in Nyon, Switzerland with Andriy Arshavin choosing some of the balls, had to be redone after a 'technical problem' saw Manchester United pitted against Villarreal, who were in their group, and omitted from being tied against Atletico Madrid.

Tough Champions League matches expected

Man United saw themselves pitted against Lionel Messi's Paris Saint-Germain, but will now be facing Atletico Madrid in the knockout phase.

Salzburg have been pooled alongside Bayern Munich, with Chelsea retaining Lille who they had been drawn with earlier.

Chelsea, Man United, City and Liverpool Learn Champions League Opponents After Redraw

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Liverpool, who have been spectacular in the competition this term will be battling Serie A giants, Inter Milan, with Real Madrid drawing PSG.

The PSG fixture will see Sergio Ramos face his former side, Real, barely months after he departed the La Liga giants.