Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has explained why he has not been paying attention to Real Madrid ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash on Tuesday.
The Citizens will meet Los Blancos in the Champions League knockout stage for third successive year, as they aim to successfully defend their crown.
Guardiola's charges eliminated Carlo Ancelotti's charges in the semi-finals last on the way to winning their first-ever Champions League title.
Read: Man City Thrash Palace To Move Level With Liverpool
“If we were 18 points in front of second in the Premier League, I would have two eyes on Madrid, but it’s not the case,” Guardiola stated.
“After that we will have more time, not for recovery, but to prepare.
“So I have not had much time to see Real Madrid. When we have been fighting for nine or 10 months for the [Premier League], why should I be distracted now from this important game against Palace, when the distance is so close.”
Guardiola also feels the Premier League is more important than the Champions League.
“I love it. Of the domestic trophies, it is the most important — Premier League or La Liga. I’m not going to say the Champions League is not nice, of course it is," he added.
“So now we have it and know how it feels in our soul and we are at peace, for the fact we’ve got it.
“[The Premier League] is just the nicest because it’s more difficult, there are more games, you know every week, two or three games.
“The Champions League, of course, is important, but it depends on something you perhaps can’t control. Both are incredibly important, but the Premier League proves a lot. It shows the mentality of the teams, being there all the time for many, many years.
“For me personally, from my education at home or whatever, every day you have to do the best — that means a lot to me personally.”
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