Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has told Pep Guardiola not to criticise his side ahead of their Champions League quarter final second leg with Manchester City.
Ahead of the first leg, Guardiola had made a comment about Dortmund's ability to sign some of Europe's best youngsters - including the likes of former City youngster Jadon Sancho - as he spoke about the threats Dortmund could pose the Blues.
“If one person knows in Manchester about Borussia Dortmund it is me,” the manager said last week.
“The culture of this club, the way they play and I will not find one single player from Borussia Dortmund without quality.
“They spend a lot of money on young players and pay a lot of money to agents to bring these players there because they have an incredible quality. Incredible.
“Maybe they didn't find this season the consistency in the Bundesliga to win every week but for two [knockout] games they are able to do anything.”
Naturally, that comment about agents made headlines, especially with all eyes on Erling Haaland's future this summer, and now Watzke has turned the tables on Guardiola by bringing up his own spending at City.
Speaking to BBC Sports, he said: "In the last five years they have spent nearly 1bn euros on new players.
"In five years. Who has the possibility to make this? He has not to criticise other clubs."
Watzke also gave his thoughts on Dortmund's second leg chances, saying they have a better chance in his mind than before they lost the first leg 2-1.
He said: "Before the first game in Manchester, my opinion was that we have a 10% chance. Now we have a much better per cent.
"I don't know how much but it looks very nice because we know they failed the last three times in the last eight. If we make the first goal and perhaps it will come back in their mind.
"I know Pep Guardiola very well. He is one of the best managers in the world. But it is clear, if you are the coach of Manchester City and they have spent so much money on the team, in Abu Dhabi they want to win the Champions League."
