City were paired with Real Madrid once again in the Champions League Round of 16 and will take on the Spanish giants over two legs later this month.
But the Blues’ boss says such high-profile tussles are crucial for his team’s evolvement and is unfazed by playing the La Liga side again.
“As much as you play elite clubs in Europe - and nobody can deny Madrid are one of them - it’s experience, prestigious, knowledge, how you handle it,” said Pep.
“As much as you play with the big teams, you’re a better team.
“I don’t have doubts. For example, if you lose against a team, as much as you play. you will learn to win.
“In the end it’ll be a truly difficult game, but since I was a player and manager in Barcelona, Bayern Munich and here, always Madrid have had exceptional players.
“There’s not doubt of that. It’s different because before it was Xabi Alonso, now it’s Alvaro Arbeloa there.
“We’ll have to see in two weeks more or less when we have the game, but now it’s Elland Road, then midweek Nottingham Forest, then FA Cup and then after Newcastle we will have time to think about Madrid.”
Watch the second part of Pep’s press conference by playing the video above.
