Man City’s director celebrates Real Madrid UCL draw

Manchester City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, is pleased at his side’s last 16 Champions League tie against Real Madrid.

Monday’s draw pitted the Premier League champions against the 13-time Champions League winners.

The two sides last faced each other in the 2016 semi-finals, with Real coming out on top thanks to a 1-0 aggregate victory.

It will be the first time City face the Spanish giants under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola and Begiristain though.

“It’s always a pleasure to play against Real Madrid, and also to play in a big stadium like the Santiago Bernabeu,” said Begiristain.

“We’re happy to go there, of course, and we know what we are going to face, we know them very well.

“Also, of course, they know us and what we’re doing and our manager and our team. Everybody knows each other, but it’s a real pleasure to go there.”

The Champions League has continued to elude the Citizens, despite receiving some arguably favourable draws over the past couple of years.

Such was their dominance in this year’s group stage that they averaged 64.4% possession over their six matches.

Last season they faced Schalke in the round of 16 before their epic defeat to Tottenham. This year however, they face the Champions League juggernaut that is Real Madrid.

Despite their recent struggles in the La Liga, Real have continued to be specialists in Europe’s top competition, winning three consecutive titles before Liverpool’s triumph in June.

Los Blancos were given a real test in their group by Paris Saint Germain, though ultimately finished eight points clear of third-placed Club Brugge.

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Since 2016/17, Champions League matches have averaged an incredible 3.04, 3.21 and 2.93 goals per game.