Pep Guardiola says anything can happen in Manchester City's Champions League last-16 tie with RB Leipzig, referencing the past and future to make his point.
City experienced two eventful clashes with Leipzig last season in the Champions League group stage, beating the Germans 6-3 at the Etihad, before losing 2-1 at the Reb Bull Arena when the group was already won and Kyle Walker saw red.
Now, City will face Marco Rose's side in the last-16, but Guardiola says last year's meetings and the uncertainty in the new year following the World Cup mean it's too early to think about a quarter-final spot just yet.
ALSO READ: City issue injury update on Erling Haaland for Chelsea game and Norway friendlies
"We have experience from last season, we struggle a lot here, score a lot but concede a lot at the Etihad," Guardiola reflected, praising Leipzig for their recent impact domestically and on the continent.
"We lost there. We see what happens how we arrive in February, how they arrive. Huge respect what they have done in German football and in Europe. They are a young team with a clear philosophy, the way they want to play. Box-to-box transitions, a good manager who we experience when we played against [Borussia] Monchengladbach.
"It is what it is, Champions League last-16, you can ask me for them or for Inter Milan or AC Milan or PSG, all the teams are really, really strong in these stages. After the World Cup, the restart, how we will feel in the moment.
"If you tell me we have to play Leipzig next week I tell you exactly the position we are in and they are in. But in February many things can happen."
READ NEXT:
