“Really destroys me” – Pep Guardiola reveals which club he does not want Manchester City to face in the UEFA Champions League | OneFootball

One club within the European picture is a clear name that Pep Guardiola does not want to face with Manchester City this season, or in future.

The latest campaign sees Manchester City and Europe’s other top clubs competing in a revamped version of the UEFA Champions League, as a 36-team league table sees all teams compete in eight fixtures against differing opponents.

Beyond the ongoing league phase of the tournament, the knock-out rounds remain in the same format, however a knock-out play-off round will take place for clubs finishing outside of the top-eight in the league table.

Should Manchester City qualify for either that next step in the tournament, or the knock-out phase, there is one clear opponent that manager Pep Guardiola is wanting to avoid in the draw.

Speaking during a conversation with Italian chat show Che Tempo Che Fa, Pep Guardiola was keen to name the one club he does not want to face with Manchester City in European competition this season or beyond.

“Good question,” Guardiola admitted over the weekend, before explaining, “Probably Barcelona, because the affection I have for them really destroys me.”

The 54-year-old tactician, who spent three seasons with FC Barcelona in a historic period in the Camp Nou club’s history, is often not afraid to speak out on his adoration for his boyhood club.

During a press conference over the summer months, when Manchester City faced the Blaugrana during their pre-season tour of the United States, Guardiola said of his former side, “Barcelona, for me personally, has been and always will be so special.

“I’m here thanks to Barcelona, otherwise I will not be here. They gave me everything, absolutely everything. It’s the truth. Always I will be grateful, what they gave to me.”

Manchester City have only faced Barcelona on one occasion competitively during Pep Guardiola’s reign at the Etihad Stadium, facing off against his former club during his debut season at the Etihad Stadium.