Pep Guardiola's bid to win the Champions League for the first time since 2011 will come under threat from his old friend Mauricio Pochettino when Manchester City face Tottenham in the quarter-final second leg later on Wednesday.
Guardiola's side must overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit at the Etihad Stadium to avoid extending their manager's frustrating Champions League run.
Guardiola is rightly regarded as the best manager of his generation after trophy-laden spells with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and now City.
But despite having access to vast financial backing at all three clubs and coaching some of the world's greatest players, Guardiola has only got his hands on the Champions League trophy twice in his 11-year managerial career.
The Spaniard won it with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011, while also earning a winners' medal as a Barca player in 1992.
Some critics see that as a meagre return and the only flaw on Guardiola's CV, placing more pressure on the City manager to lead the English champions to their first ever Champions League success this term.
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Aware of the harsh prism through which his European record is viewed, Guardiola went on the defensive when asked on Tuesday if he had extra motivation to win the competition again.
"The Champions League is tough. We fail all the time. Sorry guys, I'm a failure!" he said in an outburst laced with sarcasm.
"Not winning the Champions League in Bayern Munich was a big failure. What can I say?
"The Premier League is the most important title, to be there every three days competing."
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"What we have is the belief. We are going to fight and hope for a very good performance. You need a bit of luck in important moments in the game."