Pep Guardiola has dismissed the notion that Manchester City will gain an advantage by playing their Champions League last-16 away leg at a neutral location.
Pep Guardiola said: “Yes, Monchengladbach would be better to play at home. Last season we played Madrid with spectators then at home without spectators. They play I think on Friday in the Bundesliga, we play on Sunday. Any situation is different. I would love to play in Gladbach. But it is what it is. It’s difficult to understand why we can’t fly to Germany but can fly to Budapest. Why this country is allowed but the other one is not allowed when the situation is worldwide. It’s not difficult for UEFA, FIFA, we are in a bubble, in three weeks the national teams fly everywhere. It’s difficult for all the teams.”
City’s scheduled trip to face Borussia Monchengladbach was moved to Budapest as Germany are restricting inbound flights from England for Covid-19 reasons. Asked about the strange situation, Guardiola had sympathy for City’s opponents but referenced the advantage Real Madrid received last season by playing their home leg against the Blues in front of supporters, as well as the scheduling of City’s weekend fixture compared to Gladbach’s.
