Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane insists their clash with Manchester City is bigger than him and Pep Guardiola.

Real host City for the first-leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday night.

"It's Real Madrid vs Manchester City, there's nothing about Guardiola vs Zidane," Zidane told the press.

"It's a football game and that's what people want to see, it's a nice matchup and we're happy because those are the type of games we want to play in.

"I don't know if it can be considered a Clasico, but it's a very nice match for sure."

Manchester City come into the fixture with their own problems, their defence of the Premier League crown has been nothing short of abysmal in the face of the Liverpool machine, whilst they are also facing a two-year absence from European competition due to UEFA sanctions.

"We know the quality of the opponent that we're going to face," Zidane confirmed.

"They're a very good team and they will come to play their way, what we have to do is play a very good match.

"We have to think about what we've been doing well and not focus on the two games with negative results we've had, we have to play well tomorrow [Wednesday]."