Pep Guardiola must heed Carlo Ancelotti history as he faces Real Madrid again with Man City
manchestereveningnews.co.ukManchester City have been here before. Competing in the latter stages of the Champions League as favourites. Expectancy, pressure.
It can do funny things. No-one foresaw the Blues losing to Monaco in 2017 or Lyon in 2020. Last-gasp defeats to Tottenham in 2019 and Real Madrid last year can be looked back on with more than a hint of bad luck.
Throw in a defeat to Liverpool in the last eight in 2018 and that disappointing final loss to Chelsea in 2021 and it means City are still seeking their first crown in Europe's elite competition.
Pep Guardiola hasn't won it since 2011, a remarkable wait given his standing and the sides he's had in intervening years. But here we are again. ALSO READ: Guardiola's Man City penalty-taker stance shows new attitude for run-in City face a re-match against Real Madrid, the side that did the unthinkable last season with two goals at the death of normal time and another in extra time to knock Guardiola and co out when progress to the final seemed certain. "We did everything we could," was his assessment after last season's late drama.
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk