Guardiola admits Barcelona will always be 'special' to him

The Manchester City boss states it will be a good test for his side to play against the "best team" in a clash filled with personal memories for him

Posted Wednesday, October 19, 2016 by Goal.com

Pep Guardiola will enjoy a "special" occasion filled with nostalgia when Manchester City take on Barcelona at the grounds where he progressed from boyhood fan to key player and head coach.

City lie two points behind Barca in Champions League Group C heading into matchday three and will aim to overturn a run of four consecutive losses in the tournament against the La Liga champions.

Guardiola was also on the receiving end of a beating when he returned to Camp Nou with Bayern Munich in 2015, as Lionel Messi inspired a 3-0 win on the way to a semi-final triumph and the European title.

Nevertheless, the 45-year-old conceded this can never simply be a routine fixture for him as a visiting coach.

"It was one-and-a-half years ago when I came here with Bayern Munich. It is always special for me to sit here. This stadium is part of my life," he told a pre-match press conference.

"I grew up here as a boy and had my football career as a player and a trainer. When you travel around you always remember the places and the people you meet. My family is here, that is why I am always happy.

"Of course it is a good test for us to play against the best team."

Reflecting on his trophy-laden spell as Barcelona boss between 2008 and 2012, he added: "I don't miss it – I was so happy here and I miss the people I met here.

"I was happy working with them but the club changed the people so most of them I don't know them. The club remains the same, with a huge history behind it and a huge history in front – a lot of passion from the fans.

"In that moment there was an unbelievable generation of players. It does not matter who was in charge, they were fighters with unbelievable talent.

"It was part of my life, I closed that chapter, I opened in Munich a new one. And now another new one."