Man City do not fear Premier League sides in the Champions League - Guardiola

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City are not afraid of a Premier League draw in the Champions League quarter-finals, despite being out of competition by an English team in three of the last four campaigns.

City made it to the last eight with a 5-0 aggregate win over Sporting Lisbon after a 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.

Liverpool will also be in cap for a draw in Nyon on March 18 and could be joined by Manchester United and Chelsea if they make it past Atletico Madrid and Lille respectively.

But asked if he wants to avoid other Premier League teams after losing the quarter-finals to Liverpool in 2018, Tottenham Hotspur in 2019 and Chelsea in last season's final, Guardiola said: "I would say no.

“It is difficult for us and for them and also for opponents of other countries.

"We are in the last eight and we will prepare well and next Friday we will see a draw. It is an honor because important teams are out."

Like City and Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have already cemented their place in the quarter-finals. They will be joined by four teams from United, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Lille, Juventus, Villarreal, Benfica and Ajax when the last-16 finals are completed next week.

"Four teams out of the last eight are already not bad enough," Guardiola said.

"Now we are again in the quarter-finals as the best eight teams in Europe. I learn to enjoy the moments.

"I celebrate it because I know how difficult it is. It's tough when you go through every opponent.

"It's time to congratulate everyone, focus on the Premier League, then next week we will see a draw."

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