Guardiola cites Michael Jordan example as he defends his Champions League record

UCL Guardiola cites Michael Jordan example as he defends his Champions League record

Kiplagat Sang • 20:00 - 10.04.2023

City will host Bayern Munich for a quart-final blockbuster on Tuesday.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has defended his Champions League record at the Premier League club ahead of their quarter-final match against Bayern Munich at the Etihad Stadium.

Champions League expectations were high when the Catalan was appointed manager of the Etihad club, but the wait for the trophy continues.

The Spaniard won the Champions League two times during his time at Barcelona, and he accepts that the expectation since he arrived in England has been that he will guide City to European glory.

"We want to try," Guardiola said in his pre-match presser.

"It’s an honour to be here, against an elite club like Bayern Munich. We are happy to be here.

"You have to deserve it. Six, seven years ago when I arrived here - ‘you are here to win the Champions League’. It comes every season.

"We tried every season but there are teams you face who are good too, and they want to win it too."

In defense of his record, Guardiola cited the examples of golf great Jack Nicklaus and Michael Jordan, an American basketball legend.

"We want to try, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to win. Jack Nicklaus: How many majors did he play in his career? 120? How many did he win? Eighteen! Wow. He lost more than he won," explained Guardiola.

"Michael Jordan, the best athlete, won six NBA titles. How many years did he play? Sixteen? He lost more than he won.

"These games are so difficult. The important thing is to be here, compete well, and do our best.

"If I lose, I lose. I’m not perfect."

Under the Spaniard, the Citizens have been to six successive Champions League quarter-finals.

They came close to winning the title in 2021 but were defeated by Chelsea in Porto. This remains their only appearance at the Champions League final.