The Spaniard will take his Manchester City side to the Camp Nou on Wednesday for their Champions League group stage fixture
Pep Guardiola has described his former club Barcelona as a “machine” ahead of Manchester City’s visit to the Camp Nou on Wednesday night when the Spaniard will look to inflict defeat on his old employers.
The 45-year-old was last in the home dugout four years ago, during a trophy-laden spell which saw Guardiola win three La Liga titles and the Champions League twice, but will now return to the Camp Nou looking for three points.
While Barcelona comfortably strolled passed Deportivo at the Camp Nou on Saturday, winning 4-0, City were held by Ronald Koeman’s Everton in a 1-1 draw. And the City boss has been full of praise for the Catalans ahead their Champions League tie.
“Barcelona are special in the way they play. They’re a machine,” said Guardiola.
The Spaniard won the Champions League as both a player and manager with Barcelona and knows all about the club’s stylish system of play;Â which he is currently trying to implement at the Etihad.
City have a Barcelona background themselves, with Guardiola appointed as boss in the summer and former Catalan officials Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain also helping to run the Citizens.
But while the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss is looking to achieve something similar at City, he knows his side will face the ultimate test in midweek and has praised the Spanish giants’ famous MSN trio.
“For the last decade, the last 50 years, Barcelona dominate football matches. I love the way they play,” Guardiola added.
“They have three amazing players – Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar – up front. They are amazing on the counter-attack. They have a good build-up. They are a good team.”
However, while Luis Enrique’s side may go into the game on the back of a comfortable victory, Everton’s Koeman has backed Guardiola’s side to head to Spain and impose themselves on the game, following their 1-1 draw at the Etihad.
“They are the best team I have played against in my managerial career.” said Koeman.
“If you look to the football, to the offensive style, the movement, the quality of the players in midfield and in front, then they are the best team in the Premier League.
“Maybe we didn’t deserve a point on chances but football is unpredictable and our goalkeeper maybe played his best game ever.”
