Guardiola warns Real of overconfidence: 'Barcelona always bounce back'

Pep Guardiola congratulated deserved Champions League winner Real Madrid on Monday, but, ever the proud Catalonian, warned his old foe of a resurgent Barcelona.

The Manchester City manager oversaw the Blaugrana between 2008 and 2012, and often got the better of Real Madrid as the Camp Nou outfit plundered 14 titles in that time. He warns that if complacency creeps into the capital club's game, Barcelona will be ready to re-establish its upper hand in the Clasico rivalry.

"I congratulate Real Madrid because they were the worthy winner of the Champions League, but I would also tell them not to become overconfident because Barcelona always bounce back," he said at the Johan Cruyff Golf Memorial charity day, as reported by Marca.

Guardiola commended French midfield legend and current Real Madrid handler Zinedine Zidane for doing "an excellent job" in steering the giant to two Champions League triumphs and the title of La Liga since succeeding Rafa Benitez in January 2016. While Zidane's early coaching days have been stunning, Guardiola is also impressed with his old club's appointment of ex-Athletic Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde to the first-team helm.

"He is a very good coach and a good friend," Guardiola shared. "Barcelona have made a good choice."