Favorite Man City Champions League Champions Champions, Guardiola: There Are Still Real Madrid And Bayern Munich

JAKARTA - Manchester City became the favorite to win after qualifying for the Champions League quarter-finals. Only, manager Pep Guardiola called Real Madrid and Bayern Munich the seeds to be reckoned with.

Man City qualified from the round of 16 for the seventh time in a row after eliminating FC Copenhagen. In the second duel of the last 16 at the Etihad Stadium, Thursday, March 7, 2024 in the morning WIB,

Man City won 3-1 over their opponents. The English Premier League champions' goals were produced by Manuel Akanji, Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland. They also won 6-2 on aggregate. Man City joined Madrid, Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain already qualified for the top 8.

The Cityzens' brilliant performance in the knockout round made them seeded and favorites to defend the title.

Guardiola proudly expressed confidence that his team could win the wide-eared trophy again. However, he admitted that Madrid and Bayern still had to be reckoned with.

"We are a team that believes we can do it. Only, we are still competing with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich," said Guardiola.

"We don't know who we will face in the quarter-finals. So we'll see. The important thing is that for the last seven years we have always been in this round," he said.

Regarding opponents in the quarter-finals, it will be determined through the draw which will be held on March 15, 2024. Akanji said Man City's belief could overcome any opponent and pass through the round.

"We are in the best condition. This is what makes us confident that we will qualify for the next round. We are indeed the favorites, but we must be able to prove it," said Akanji.