Ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg at the Bernabeu, Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has praised Real Madrid for their European record and their consistency.
The Catalan coach was asked about City's desire to win the Champions League and whether it is a failure that they haven't done so already, as many have suggested.
However, he chose to focus on the importance of consistently performing at a high level, like Real Madrid do.
The Citizens have reached at least the quarter-finals for the last six years, but have only once made the final, when they lost to Chelsea in 2021. Los Blancos, meanwhile, have won the competition five times in the last 10 years.
"One day we will reach the final and we will win it," said Guardiola.
"I wouldn't like to win the Champions League and then go down and down and down.
"Being stable is the most important things as a club, Madrid are an example."
You have to beat the best
Guardiola is, evidently, well aware of Real Madrid's record in this competition and he acknowledges that to be the best you have to beat the best.
In the Champions League, Madrid are the best and that is the challenge for his team in the next 10 days.
"To win this competition you have to beat the best team, and Madrid are the best team in this competition in the last decade," said Guardiola.
Not revenge, a new opportunity
While the easy narrative in this tie might be that Guardiola and City are out for revenge after being eliminated by Madrid at the same stage last year, the coach was keen to play this down.
For Guardiola, it's not about revenge, it's just a new opportunity to reach the final.
"It will be a huge mistake [looking for revenge], we're not here for revenge, just an opportunity," Guardiola said.
"Last season we did everything, more than everything to reach the final, but [in] football... it's not enough."
The first leg of this engrossing semi-final will be played in Madrid on Tuesday, with the return leg next Wednesday in Manchester.
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