Galatasaray have reason to be “very confident” of picking up a positive result against City this week says assistant manager Ismael Garcia Gomez who has six former Premier League players in his first-team squad.
One of those players is Sane, the former City star who worked under Guardiola alongside teammate Ilkay Gundogan. Speaking to BBC Sport ahead of the crucial European tie, Sane praised Guardiola in what will be a welcome return.
"(He is) the definitive architect of modern football."
"Pep shows you a different sport entirely," he explained. "His tactical demands are relentless, but he didn't just coach me — he evolved me. I left his guidance as a far more complete player than I ever thought possible."
"I'll admit, when the draw came out, I hoped City might have already secured their top-eight spot by the time we met.
"But now it's a high‑stakes, crucial game for both sides. Facing them at the Etihad when everything is on the line for them? It doesn't get more intense than that."
Galatasaray currently sit 17th in the 36-team Champions League standings and avoiding a defeat would be enough to secure a knockout round playoff spot.
Sane and Gundogan will aim to hold off City as they fight against their old side in what should be an intense clash.