Pep Guardiola has labelled the new Champions League format as 'weird' after discovering Manchester City will face Real Madrid once more in the last 16 - just months after beating them in the league phase. City, who lifted the trophy for the first time in 2023, have now encountered the Spanish powerhouses at different stages of the Champions League for five consecutive years.

The new expanded format, which was introduced two years ago, does not prevent sides who met in the opening league phase from facing each other again in the first knockout round. This means City and Real will lock horns again just over two months since Guardiola's side triumphed at the Bernabeu. And the former Barcelona manager has suggested the competition ought to amend the regulations to ensure teams that meet in the league phase are separated in the last 16.

"Yes, it is a little bit weird [to face Real Madrid again]," he said. "Not many times does it happen that the last game of the group stage - Real Madrid v Benfica - is the first draw. It looks different. People will agree or disagree, but it is different.

When asked whether UEFA should alter the rules, Guardiola...