Pep Guardiola was left bewildered after a Spanish journalist asked him whether Manchester City will give Real Madrid a guard of honour when they meet on Wednesday night.
City travel to face Madrid at the Bernabeu in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final, with the Premier League side holding a narrow 4-3 lead from the first leg at the Etihad.
Madrid head into the match as Spanish champions, having clinched the La Liga title with a 4-0 win over Espanyol on Saturday.
While holding his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Guardiola was bizarrely asked by a member of the Spanish press if City will give Madrid a guard of honour.
The act, which is performed by teams as a mark of respect to newly-crowned champions, is typically reserved for domestic league competitions.
"Will you give Madrid the guard of honour for winning La Liga?," asked the Spanish journalist.
Former Barcelona manager Guardiola responded: "I don't have an opinion on that."
Spanish Journalist: Will you give Madrid the guard-of-honor for winning La Liga?
Pep “You're asking me to give guard-of-honor because Madrid are champions? Being our spokesperson I can congratulate them but La Liga is different from Champions League” pic.twitter.com/TJZgyfCVeT
— The Pep (@GuardiolaTweets) May 3, 2022
After being pressed for an answer, Guardiola responded: "I understand that you ask me something about the league, about Real Madrid becoming champions.
"As spokesman for this club, which is what I am, we congratulate them, but this is the Champions League."
While they will almost certainly not receive a guard of honour from City, Madrid may also have to go without one when they visit bitter rivals Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday.
Atletico defender Jose Gimenez has suggested the home side won't perform the gesture at the Wanda Metropolitano.
City hold a 4-3 lead over Madrid heading into their Champions League semi-final second leg (Image: PA)
"A guard of honour to Real Madrid? We congratulate them, but we have a lot of respect for our fans," said Gimenez.
Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak has also expressed his opposition to performing the act.
"As captain, I'm one of those who doesn't like to give or receive the guard of honour," said Oblak.
"The club will decide and we'll do whatever is necessary."
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