Txiki Begiristain's three-word verdict on Man City retaining Champions League after Real Madrid draw

Latest Manchester City news as director of football Txiki Begiristain reacts to City's Champions League draw

Isaac Seelochan Senior Sports Journalist

13:00, 15 Mar 2024

Manchester City sporting director Txiki Begiristain has reacted to their Champions League draw(Image: Kristian Skeie - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Txiki Begiristain is confident in Manchester City's chances of retaining the Champions League.

The holders have been handed a tough draw in Europe's elite competition as they face 14-time winners Real Madrid in the last eight. Whoever comes out on top will then face the winner of the tie involving Arsenal and Bayern Munich.

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City are chasing an unprecedented double treble as they look to retain the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies they won last season. They could also become the first English side to win consecutive Champions Leagues, a feat only Real Madrid have achieved when they won three in a row between 2016 and 2018.

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And City’s director of football Begiristain is relishing the clash with Real. He referenced last season's semifinal when City won 5-1 on aggregate, which included a dominant 4-0 win in the second leg at the Etihad.

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"We have been playing them a while now in the last few seasons," he said. "We all remember when we beat them in the semi-final last year – it was amazing.

"Last season when we played them at home in the second leg we played a top, top game. We know how strong they are – they are top of the league. They have good players, play good football and they have one of the best players in the world."

Asked if City could retain their title, Begiristain simply asked: "Yes, why not?"

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He added: "We are doing very well in this competition and winning the games.

"Mentally, we are strong and top in confidence. We are going to need it to beat Real Madrid. We are confident – in the last years we’ve been fighting for this competition and last year we won it. We hope we can keep the winning run going."