Vintage duel in the FA Cup: Guardiola against Karanka

The randomness of the FA Cup draws has meant that there are all sorts of fixtures in this round. Liverpool played against Aston Villa and on Sunday two matches will take place that are completely different.

On the one hand, Merseyside minnows Marine from the outskirts of Liverpool and in the 8th tier will welcome José Mourinho's Tottenham in a match where the hosts got the help of Liverpool.

But it's not the only fascinating or attractive match of the day. At the Etihad, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City will welcome Birmingham City of the Championship. A match that wouldn't have a lot of history if it weren't for Aitor Karanka being on the opposing bench.

The Birmingham manager is remembered by Pep's environment as a member of José Mourinho's coaching staff in his toughest spell in charge of Real Madrid. Karanka was present in all the Clásicos from those seasons and even participated in the controversy and verbal spat between Santpedor and the Portuguese manager.

However, all of that is now history and even Karanka has praised Pep- "He is much more complete", he said. A Guardiola more distant than ever from Barcelona is only thinking about his Manchester City, a team that, despite COVID-19, is going up. Birmingham, despite Karanka at the helm, have gone 12 matches without a win away to City and have it difficult.