Real Madrid vs Manchester City: Guardiola reveals respect for Real Madrid

Manchester City faces a huge task when they take on La Liga giants Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

The English champions host the Spanish side in the first semi-final of the 2021/22 Champions League season on Tuesday at the Etihad.

City will be looking to knock out another La Liga team after their champions, Atletico Madrid, were sent packing in the competition's quarter-final stage.

However, ahead of the encounter between his club and Los Blancos tomorrow, Guardiola is savouring the chance to face 13-time winners of the competition, Real Madrid, describing the tie as an "honour".

Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City face a tougher challenge to win the Premier League title this season AFP

"It's an honour to be in the semi-final vs Real Madrid," Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference.

"In the last decade, we start to be there and it's an honour to be here. We try to do a good game."

Guardiola faced Real Madrid multiple times during his time as manager of their biggest rivals, Barcelona. His City side is set to face the Spaniards for the fourth time and Guardiola says despite the Cityzens' desire to compete, they still can't compete with the history of clubs like Real, who knocked out holders Chelsea in the previous round, and Liverpool in Europe.

"Now I feel how nice it is to be here with the best teams in Europe," he added.

Karim Benzema has been in fine form for Real Madrid. AFP

"[We] try to be ourselves, do two exceptional games (vs Real) to reach the final. We can do it, we have so much respect for Real Madrid - how good they are."

"You want to reach the final like Liverpool and Villarreal, but never underestimate what we have done to be here."

"If we have to compete with their history. We don't stand a chance. It speaks for itself."

"We have the desire to compete with them, it's a chance to improve, we want to try it - try, suffer when we suffer, stick together. Try to attack best as possible. Before the last decade, we were never here, reaching the final is always a good lesson for us."