Manchester City

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game at Arsenal (kick-off 16:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• The injury list "continues the same" so Guardiola does not expect any players to return for Sunday.

• On facing Real Madrid in the Champions League play-offs: "It feels like a derby already. Four years in a row facing Real Madrid. But Bayern or Madrid - both was really tough. Hopefully we can arrive for the first leg here, and then at Madrid, as best as possible."

• On the difficulty of the Champions League draw: "It's fine. We could have been better? Yeah. We could have been in the top eight? Yeah, but we were not good enough. We don't deserve to be in the finals this season, winning just three games and drawing another one. We lost a lot. The draw could have been nicer? Yes, but the draw is the draw. Bayern Munich was extremely difficult. Real Madrid difficult - we know that. We have done it in the past. It is not a problem."

• On a congested fixture calendar in February, Guardiola said the "schedule is what it is" and that the "Premier League always puts the toughest schedules for teams in Europe".

• He insisted that he was "not complaining" because it has "always been like that": "I remember when I was in Barcelona, following the Premier League and Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger made the same complaints. Do you think it is going to change? The broadcasters decide - they don't ask me."

• Guardiola is not sure if City will add any more players this window but said he is "always happy" with what the club do as they have done "their best for now and [will do for] the next five, 10, 20 years. They always try to do their best".

• On the future of James McAtee: "I don't think [we are selling]. He is going to stay. We don't have enough players. We have a World Cup at the end of the season [and] we have a lot of games. But maybe an offer will arrive and we will have to sell him."

• The City boss rejected questions that Sunday's game is a grudge match, stating his relationship with Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta is still "exceptional" and "the respect we have is always there".

• On whether Rodri picking up his injury against Arsenal in September was the turning point for City this season: "The absence of Rodri is massive but it has not just been Rodri. The best player in the world absent - tell me one team in the world who would not notice? I'd have preferred to lose that game and have Rodri all season, but the situation we had this season was not just because of Rodri."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Full commentary of Arsenal v Manchester City from 16:30 GMT on Sunday on BBC Radio 5 Live

Former defender Stephen Warnock says being talked about as underdogs might favour Manchester City in their Champions League play-off against Real Madrid.

"Over the last few years we've probably looked at Manchester City going into a game of that magnitude thinking 'City will fancy themselves in this'," he said on The Football News Show.

"I think this is the season, where we're almost looking at it saying 'City aren't the favourites' and it might favour them that everyone is going in saying 'Real Madrid should walk over Manchester City this season because of the way they've been playing'.

"But with the new signings coming in, could that galvanize City a little bit?

"I do still think there are frailties in that Manchester City defence and Real Madrid with the quality they've got, they could pick them to pieces but City have got to hang in there in that first game and they can still win it."

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Footballer reporter John Bennett believes Real Madrid have "found form" and the chances Manchester City have been giving away recently will "be a real concern" when Pep Guardiola's side face the Spanish champions.

Speaking on The Football News Show, Bennett said: "The worry is they've really found form - they have had some slip ups, in the Champions League and the Super Cup when they were thrashed by Barcelona.

"Kylian Mbappe really is in form, he's already scored over 20 goals, slowly but surely he's really settled in as a Real Madrid player so I think that's the concern.

"The amount of chances Manchester City are giving away, I think it was 26 attempts on goal that PSG had against them. They do look fragile and when you've got an attack with the class of Real Madrid - that's going to be a real concern."

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Manchester City have been drawn to face holders Real Madrid in the play-off round for a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

City and Real Madrid have faced each other in each of the past three seasons, with City losing on penalties in the quarter-finals to the eventual winners in 2023-24.

Ties will be played on 11-12 February and 18-19 February.

If City win, they will take on either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.

See the full draw over here

Ben Stevenson
Peterborough United commentator for BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

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When the signing of Jadel Katongo was announced on transfer deadline day back in September, it was met with universal praise by Peterborough United fans.

The 20-year-old made 43 appearance for Darren Ferguson's side last season and had impressed with his versatility and technical ability.

He was also in demand because Posh had lost the other three members of their back four. Harrison Burrows was sold to Sheffield United, Ronnie Edwards to Southampton and Josh Knight left for Germany on a free transfer.

But Katongo's second spell has been far from ideal. He played just four games before picking up an injury against Birmingham City, ruling him out for a month. He then returned into a troubled Posh back line, who had conceded the most goals in League 1, and the Manchester City youngster was unable to stem the tide as he worked himself back to fitness and form.

Darren Ferguson has opted to add another three defenders in the winter transfer window, dropping Katongo down the pecking order at London Road. The loanee is now going to miss another couple weeks with a further injury.

Things are looking brighter though for Posh's other City loan player Mahamadou Susoho.

He too suffered injury misery early in his stay, completing just one game before being ruled out until the new year. However, he returned as a half-time substitute against Lincoln City before scoring his first goal for the club against Wigan Athletic in a 1-0 win.

It's fair to say that Susoho is quickly endearing himself to the Posh faithful in a similar way that Katongo did last year.

Name this former Manchester City manager from the following clues:

• I am a former England manager.

• I was in charge for City's final game at Maine Road.

• I also managed Newcastle in the Premier League.

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT

Manchester City fan Steven McInerney is delighted to have progressed to the Champions League play-offs but is concerned about who lies in wait for Pep Guardiola's side.

He told BBC Sport that City are still capable of brilliance - but that will be tested to the limit by either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.

Find more from Steven at Esteemed Kompany, external

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Manuel Akanji is confident Manchester City "can beat every team in Europe" after progressing to the Champions League play-off spots.

City will find out on Friday whether their next opponent will be either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.

"I'm happy that we made it to the play-offs," Akanji said. "Obviously, we wish we would have made it to the top eight but we couldn't change it anymore. All we had to do was win.

"Obviously Real Madrid and Bayern Munich aren't the teams you want to face but, whoever it is, we are looking forward to the challenge and I think we can beat every team in Europe.

"Whoever comes, we are ready for the challenge. Even though we didn't play as good as we used to do, I think no team wants to face us.

"We have Arsenal next and have to recover really well now. It's an important game, away - it won't be easy. We have to be ready for the challenge."

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Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha says he would like to see Vincent Kompany "go toe to toe" with Pep Guardiola in the Champions League play-offs.

Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester, Onuoha was asked whether Manchester City would prefer to face Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the next stage of the competition.

"I think, purely narrative and storyline-based, I would like to see them face Bayern Munich," Onuoha said. "As we all know, a certain somebody that manages Bayern Munich has a statue outside Manchester City's stadium.

"It would be nice to see Vincent Kompany come back, with the challenge of trying to beat his former team in the Champions League.

"It is Kompany's first time coaching in the Champions League and it is his first time coaching at a really high level, so I would like to see him come back and try to go toe to toe with Pep Guardiola.

"I think Bayern Munich are a really good side but they do have some weaknesses as well. I think those two games could be exceptional, so I would like to see that.

"But just being in the draw is the biggest thing - because the run from here is never going to be easy."

The Champions League knockout phase play-off draw takes place on Friday 31 January at 11:00 GMT - come back to this page for the outcome and reaction

Regardless of whether Manchester City draw Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the two-legged Champions League play-off, Pep Guardiola can reflect on recent success over both European giants.

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Although Real Madrid knocked City out in the semi-finals last season on penalties, the Blues have only lost one of their past eight games against the Spanish champions.

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City are unbeaten in their past three games against Bayern - most recently beating them in the 2022-23 quarter-finals 4-1 on aggregate, and have only lost one of their past five games against the German side.

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Former Manchester City striker Paul Dickov says City can send a statement that they are "getting back to their best" if they win their two-legged play-off to reach the last 16 of the Champions League.

After surviving a scare against Club Brugge on Wednesday, City now face a play-off against either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.

"Pep Guardiola said in his press conference that they will be in a stronger position in a couple of weeks but they are going to have to go out there and beat one of the best teams to get to the knockout stages - it's as simple as that," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"City have had some wonderful games against Real Madrid over the last three or four seasons, great games to watch - and if it's Bayern Munich, it's the return of Vincent Kompany.

"If City can win it, it is going to send a statement to the rest of Europe that they are getting back to their best."

John Murray
BBC Radio 5 Live chief football correspondent

For the umpteenth time in a season that has proved to be far from what was expected for Manchester City, Pep Guardiola looked to be going through the full range of emotions as his team eventually hauled themselves out of the elimination places and into the Round of 16.

But now they are there, who would count against them going much further in the competition? Even with the prospect of a blockbuster play-off tie against either the holders Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, with the first leg being played in Manchester.

There is a long history of clubs winning the Champions League when their hopes of landing their domestic title have long fallen by the wayside. In 2005, Rafa Benitez's famous Liverpool team's victory came after they finished fifth in the Premier League.

Chelsea ended sixth when they won the Champions League for the first time in 2012, and fourth when Thomas Tuchel's team beat Manchester City in the Porto Final of 2021.

And even last season, Borussia Dortmund went all the way to the Wembley Final but could only finish fifth in the Bundesliga.

Manchester City would need better fortune with injuries in the second half of the season and Rodri won't be returning for months yet. But for City, while they are still alive in the Champions League there will remain hope they might be able to win it for the second time in three seasons.

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Champions League game between Manchester City and Club Brugge.

Here are some of your comments:

Brian: City are in the play-offs, which is a result in itself. We were in total control for most of the game. We have to make possession pay and we have to bring Haaland more into the play. This was all about belief. We wrote ourselves off and we have now written ourselves back in this with belief.

Timothy: I'm glad that we are through to the play-offs, but the way we are playing is worrying. If we do end up facing either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, we could get absolutely cooked in the play-offs if we aren't careful. We need to stop making defensive mistakes.

Sam: A much better second half to get us over the line. Savinho changed the game for us. We will need a miracle to still be in this competition after the play-off round with how our season is going but we should have never put ourselves in this position in the first place. So we only have ourselves to blame!

Ilyas: Manchester City started slowly and went a goal down early, but they responded well. It was a game that showed their resilience and squad depth, with substitutes making a real impact. Despite some nervy moments, they controlled the match well in the second half and got the job done.

Thursday's newspapers pointed to City surviving in the Champions League for now...

Want to hear more analysis of a gripping night in the Champions League?

BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast has reaction to games involving Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester City.

All four English clubs remain in the competition at the conclusion of the League Phase.

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Manchester City have now progressed from the Champions League group stage/league phase in each of the last 12 seasons.

Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are the only other teams to do so in each campaign since 2013-14.

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola speaking to TNT Sports: "In the second half we lifted our soul and our hearts were free. For today, we are in the next round, that's good. The first half was so academic, we didn't have the spark to do it against a team that defends really well.

"Going to Bayern Munich or Real Madrid will be really tough but it's in two weeks and in two weeks we have a few players back, the new signings back, so hopefully we can do two good games."

On how much difference it will make to be able to register his new signings for the next round: "Of course, it's important. We suffered all season without players. To have these players, you have more alternatives. Hopefully, Jeremy [Doku] is back as well so we have players to do it and do our best."

On what this could do for Man City's season: "I don't know. It has been so unstable this season. Today is a sense of relief to qualify and of course, it is a long season for us."

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BBC Radio 5 Live's chief football correspondent John Murray, says it "is absolutely fascinating" that Manchester City could face Real Madrid for a place in the last-16.

"They have played each other in each of the last three seasons," said Murray. "Last season in the quarter-final it went to a penalty shootout and Bernardo Silva dinked his kick down the middle, and then semi-finals in the two seasons prior, with City winning one of them.

"The possibility of Real Madrid against Manchester City in the play-off round is absolutely fascinating given the recent history between the clubs.

"Those three games were absolute classics."

The draw for the play-off round will take place on Friday.

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Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic speaking to TNT Sports: "Every game in the Champions League is a tough one. We are through which is the most important thing. It was a tough group stage for us. Whoever comes next will be difficult so it doesn't matter. We conceded in the first half but we are happy that we could score and win this game and in the end we were half."

On manager Pep Guardiola's half-time team talk: "It was good because we came out very well. We knew we needed to step up. In the second half, we showed great character to win and go through. The crowd was behind us and there was an amazing atmosphere.

"It was important because we knew we are here to go through, we have a good team and we came back from 1-0 down. We know we are a great team."