World Sports

No one plays better than Barcelona: Guardiola

The Manchester City manager expressed his admiration for his old side ahead of their clashes in the group stage of the Champions League and is under no illusions about the scale.

Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Luis Enrique and Barcelona, insisting no one in world football plays better than the La Liga champions ahead of Manchester City's clash with them.

The Catalan will come up against his former side after City were drawn against them in the group stage of this season's Champions League.

It will mark the third and fourth time Guardiola will face the Catalan club since departing at the end of the 2011-12 season and will be looking to reverse a losing record.

He came up against them as Bayern Munich boss in the semi-finals of the Champions League two seasons ago, succumbing 5-3 on aggregate.

Guardiola said it will be a tough test once again this time, especially considering the attacking talents of the famed MSN trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.