Jude Bellinghams Real Madrid impact massive Guardiola

Real Madrid are a different team from last season thanks to the 'obvious' impact of midfielder Jude Bellingham, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said after his side were drawn to face the club of LaLiga in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Friday.

Holders City beat the 14-time Champions League winners in the semi-finals of the competition last season, drawing 1-1 away at the Bernabéu and securing a crushing 4-0 victory at the Etihad in the return match.

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Bellingham, who joined Real from Borussia Dortmund in July for a fee of around 103 million euros ($112.1 million), has scored 20 goals and set up nine for the Spanish side in all competitions confused this season.

Asked about the midfielder's exploits, Guardiola told reporters on Friday: “[Bellingham’s] the impact was enormous. This is a different team from last season. His influence is obvious and we must try to find out what he does to control it.

“Facing Real Madrid is always a difficult challenge, no one can deny that. They are an exceptional club and, in this competition, they can control a lot of things thanks to the experience they have in the past.

“Like last season, there will be moments for them and moments for us. The more we can keep our moments, we will be closer. We will try to have a good performance in Madrid and then here, with our people, do again.”

The first legs of the quarter-finals of the Champions League will be played from April 9 to 10 and the return matches on April 16 and 17.

City face Newcastle United in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday and face Arsenal in the Premier League after the international break.