Guardiola: You have to take your hat off to Real Madrid after what they've done

Posted Thursday, May 31, 2018 by Marca.com

Though it's unlikely to go down well with Barcelona supporters, Pep Guardiola hasn't hesitated to praise the performance of Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Los Blancos have won three consecutively and four of the last five.

"It's spectacular, you have to take your hat off to them," he said during the traditional annual festival of the Johan Cruyff Foundation, which was held on Wednesday.

"It doesn't matter if they deserve it or not, because it's very difficult to do what he they've done.

"They've demonstrated their quality, and we hope to prevent them from taking the fourth consecutive one.

"Zidane has done a spectacular job."

The Catalan has also highlighted the campaign of his former team, and spoke about the departure of Andres Iniesta.

"Barcelona have also had a great season," he continued.

"If they keep playing how we know they can, and have all the weapons at their disposal, football doesn't end with two, three or four people such as Xavi and Iniesta.

"They will remain the best club in the world, and I don't think they will lose their DNA."

There have been rumours that Manchester City will sign Isco this summer, but Guardiola had a simple answer to the question.

"No," was his short and sharp response.