Pep Guardiola said he is not deflated at having to battle for a place in next season's Champions League and believes doing so would be a "huge success" in a difficult season for Manchester City.

In a rematch of last year's unforgettable Champions League semifinal, 14-time winners Real Madrid and defending champions Manchester City lock horns once again, squaring off in Tuesday's quarter-final first leg at the Bernabeu.

Champions Manchester City are ominously poised to strike in the new year despite a dip in form from last season's treble winners, while Arsenal, Aston Villa and Tottenham are also in the mix.

"Everyone is so happy, we need to enjoy the moment," said Luiz.

Erling Haaland misses Manchester City's Premier League clash against Luton on Sunday with a foot injury that could impact his availability for the champions' hectic Christmas schedule.

Elsewhere, Scott McTominay scored twice as Manchester United beat Chelsea 2-1 and Fulham hammered Nottingham Forest 5-0, heaping the pressure on manager Steve Cooper

Alexander Isak scored the only goal at St. James' Park in a clash between two much-changed sides.

Manchester United and Chelsea are under pressure to get back on track as the Premier League returns from an international break, while Manchester City aim to maintain their perfect start to the season.

Guardiola said he was "not a god" when asked if he was the greatest of all time after arriving in Japan for City's pre-season tour

"We do have regrets because defeat is the worst thing in sport but I have to congratulate my lads," Inzaghi said after the final was decided by a solitary second-half goal from Rodri

"I think Pep said that you will not be 'big, big' if you don't win in Europe. It's the exam we have to pass again," said the Spanish international

The goal beat the previous record of 25 seconds set by Everton's Louis Saha in the 2009 final against Chelsea

Brentford needed to win and hope that Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur dropped points in order to finish seventh, a Europa Conference League qualifying spot

"I congratulate Man City. They are the champions, they deserved to win. I apologise because we have generated that belief that we could do it, but we were unable to and that is my responsibility," said Arteta

City will win the title for the fifth time in six seasons, and for a third year in a row, if Arsenal lose at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Guardiola said their next three games will "dictate a lot"

England's most expensive ever player is beginning to live up to his price tag as Manchester City are getting the Jack Grealish they spent £100 million ($124 million) for after a frustrating first season at the Etihad.

United boss Ten Hag, speaking after the nail-biting Wembley shootout, praised his team's ability to bounce back

It will be United's first FA Cup final appearance since losing to Chelsea in the 2018 showpiece

Guardiola made six changes from the team, which drew at Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, with a Riyad Mahrez hat-trick securing City a 3-0 win and a spot in the final, where they will face either Manchester United or Brighton & Hove Albion