Ancelotti’s AC Milan were at the height of their powers when he offered a helping hand to the rookie Guardiola by allowing him to watch the Serie A side train at their famous Milanello complex.
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The Manchester City boss was struck by the kind gesture, but says it was typical of the man he will be trying to get the better of in this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final against Everton.
“He has been manager of the best clubs in Europe - Milan, Juventus, Napoli, PSG, Madrid,” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference.
“All places he had success. I know people talk about him as a manager and a person. He took care of me when I started. I visited him when he was at Milan.
“He allowed me to see one or two training sessions as well. We spoke a little bit about football and life, nothing special.
“Always off the pitch he is so gentle. I admire him a lot.”
The two men enjoy a warm relationship and Ancelotti heaped praise on City following our 3-1 win at Goodison Park in the Premier League last month.
The Toffees’ chief claimed City were ‘almost impossible’ to beat, though Guardiola refutes such a suggestion.
Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva got the goals in a routine victory, but the Catalan says the knockout nature of the tie changes the complexion of Saturday’s meeting as he warned against Everton’s set-piece threat.
“He should have said to the United team who proved we are not,” added Guardiola.
“Different games, competition. It’s a final tomorrow, a few weeks ago it wasn’t a final.
“Away, you have to realise how they play, how we can find spaces to attack, control set pieces because they have a master with Sigurdsson as a taker and tough players like Keane and Mina and Calvert-Lewin.
“The quality of players are there. They’re doing well in the league, fighting for qualification for the Champions League.
“That shows how good they have done this season.”
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