URAWA RED DIAMONDS coach Maciej Skorza has waited 15 years for the chance to lock horns with Pep Guardiola again.
And the Pole cannot wait to see if his underdogs can shock the world.
Skorza, 51, was in the away dugout in the Nou Camp as Guardiola’s first game as a coach in 2008 ended in a 4-0 Champions League qualifying win.
While Wisla Krakow won the second leg 1-0, Guardiola’s side went on to beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United 2-0 in the 2009 Final in Rome to complete the first of his many Trebles.
Skorza, who will step down after the tournament, recalled: “I had the great pleasure to meet Mr Guardiola 15 years ago and I have to admit that from that moment I have admired his work.
"He is the No1 manager in the world, so personally it is a special moment to play against his team again after 15 years.
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“So it is fantastic for me and for my team, because we are playing the best team in the world as well.
“This is a rare opportunity but our dream is to play in the Final.
“On paper, City are a better team than us in every aspect. But in football, sometimes, it doesn’t work like that.
“I believe in my players because we have a fantastic team with fantastic character.
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“We know we will suffer on the pitch at times but we have to keep going and keep fighting and try to realise our plan.
“What is important is how we manage the space behind their defence. I believe that we can play a very good game.
“What the result will be, nobody knows – it’s football. But the most important thing is keeping this team spirit at the top level.”
Erling Haaland will not be risked after being left out of training, although Kevin De Bruyne could be back on the bench for City.
Guardiola said: “This is the one trophy we don’t have, so we want to close the circle and have won everything we can win.
“You have a responsibility to win all the games and every competition.
“The players know that and we’ll try to perform well.”
Probable teams:
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Manchester City: Steffen; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Kovacic; Foden, Alvarez, Grealish
Urawa Red Diamonds: Nishikawa; Sakai, Scholz, Hoibraten, Akimoto; Ito, Iwao; Okubu, Yasui, Koizumi; Kante.
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