‘I suffered a lot’ – Pep Guardiola reveals what he discussed with Zidane after City beat Real Madrid | OneFootball

Man City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed what he discussed with his Real Madrid counterpart Zinedine Zidane after City beat Real Madrid 4-2 on aggregate to qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals.

In comments reported by the Manchester Evening News, Guardiola briefly explained the content of the talk with Zidane, after images of the two locked in conversation at the Etihad after the full-time whistle were widely shared on social media.

‘I congratulated him [Zidane] for winning La Liga. I always said to win the league is the most difficult title – it shows 11 months being there. We spoke about our families and I wished him all the best. He was one of my idols when I was a player’, the Catalan said.

Guardiola also confessed to the difficulty of opposing Zidane on the field in their playing days, with the two coming face to face on numerous occasions, as well as his personal admiration for the Frenchman.

‘I played against him in the national team with France and I suffered a lot. He was one of the greatest and as a human being he is an example and I like how he can represent our profession like he does’, said Pep.

The mutual respect between the two coaches is a welcome sight, and although Guardiola came out on top this time, it is unlikely that it will be the only time the two managers come up against each other.