Txiki Begiristain sends Manchester City warning to Bayern Munich after Champions League quarter-final draw

Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain is ready to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final following Friday’s draw in Nyon.

The Premier League champions are set to face the German giants after seeing off RB Leipzig in the Round of 16 with an aggregate score of 8-1, with Erling Haaland scoring five in the return leg at the Etihad Stadium.

City face Bayern in the last eight of the competition as the Blues search for a maiden Champions League title after a late collapse against Real Madrid in last season’s semi-final.

Bayern, who eased past Paris Saint-Germain over two legs in the Round of 16, are one of the favourites to win the Champions League and will prove to be a serious test for Pep Guardiola’s men.

Reacting to the quarter-final draw on Friday, City director of football Txiki Begiristain said: “They are very strong of course. Bayern (Munich) are one of the candidates with us and you can see what they have done, they beat one of the other contenders in Paris Saint-Germain.

“They (Bayern Munich) are a very strong team, very solid. It’s going to be very difficult, but also I guess we (City) will also be difficult for them.”

The tie will see Pep Guardiola come up against Julian Nagelsmann on the touchline and see former City forward Leroy Sane as well as Joao Cancelo return to Manchester for the opening leg.

“Any time, it’s going to be a tough and wonderful game.  Two good coaches, a lot of good players on the pitch and the proposals of both coaches and clubs are good ones. I can see a big show of great football,” Begiristain added.

City face Burnley in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday as they search for a sixth consecutive win across all competitions, having picked up form in the business end of the season after a shaky spell of results in recent months.

On City’s form ahead of the Champions League quarter-final, Begiristain added: “We’re okay. We’re fighting in all competitions and ready to go for them. I think in the last games, we’ve been solid and created chances.

“We (City) are in a good mood, but the only thing is of course the opponents are there, so it’s a big one. We’re ready for the fight.

“We (City) hope (we can reach the semi-final), we’re confident, we want to get that consistency in this competition (Champions League) too, so we have to go through. We always respect Bayern Munich.”

With Erling Haaland firing on all cylinders in his debut season at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola and Begiristain will be hoping the Norway international can make the difference for Manchester City in their upcoming knockout run.