Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has dismissed suggestions that his team should form a guard of honour for La Liga champions Real Madrid when the two teams meet in the Champions League semi-final second leg tie on Wednesday night in Spain.

As a token of respect, trophy winners in Spain's top division have traditionally been applauded on the pitch by their next opponents.

Guardiola, on the other hand, was asked by the Spanish press if Man City should applaud Real Madrid's players onto the pitch before Wednesday's match, but the Spaniard appeared perplexed by the concept.

"I don't have an opinion on that," she says. Guardiola answered, "That is a question for UEFA."

“I understand that you asked me something about the league, about Real Madrid becoming champions, but as a spokesman for this club, which is what I am, we congratulate them, but this is the Champions League.”

Meanwhile, the winner of tonight’s clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City will meet Liverpool in the Champions League final later this month.