Manchester City take on Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash – and there is something Pep Guardiola reckons will be ‘almost impossible’ for his side to do.
City flew to Madrid last night, ready for the first of two huge games against the Spanish heavyweights.
Real Madrid are looking for revenge, after City put them out at the semi-final stage of the competition last season.
This time around they have England superstar Jude Bellingham, and the feeling is that it could be a much closer affair.
City are missing key players. Kyle Walker – so often the best counter for Vinicius Junior – has not travelled with the squad as he continues his recovery from injury. Nathan Ake is also unavailable.
Josko Gvardiol did not train yesterday and is facing a battle to be fit.
City fans would absolutely love it if the players could turn in a similar level of performance to the one last season at the Etihad Stadium – but Pep Guardiola believes there is practically zero chance of this happening…
Pep Guardiola says it is ‘almost impossible’ for Manchester City to replicate 4-0 performance at the Etihad last season against Real Madrid
This will be a fascinating tie.
City are arguably the best team in the world at the moment and are obviously the reigning champions.
But we know that there is always something about Real Madrid and the Champions League, and they are the club that have won it the most times.
But City have shown they can get the better of Real Madrid.
Last season, after drawing the first leg 1-1 at the Bernabeu, City thumped them 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium, a performance which is widely regarded as the best ever from City under Pep, and one of the greatest team performances of all-time in the Champions League.
Pep was asked about potentially replicating that kind of performance this time around, but the Spaniard was pretty adamant it won’t happen.
He said in his press conference yesterday (via Man City official): “It’s difficult. Because beating Real Madrid two times in the same way is almost impossible. Beating them once in this competition is difficult, imagine two in a row. The target is not easy, in performing that well because they learn. They have pride. They have to try to be smart and see what happens in the second leg.”
City have a very tough game in store tonight
It would be a major shock if City turned in a performance like the one against Real at the Etihad last season.
Guardiola is right. Real Madrid are such a force in the competition and it would be extremely difficult for City to turn up and dominate.
For starters, this first leg is at the Bernabeu and you have to think they will be much stronger in front of their home fans. They are also a better team than they were last season, and obviously now have the sensational Bellingham in their ranks. Antonio Rudiger has already suggested Real are very determined, as he previewed his upcoming battle with Erling Haaland.
Then there is the revenge element. Real will remember last season’s mauling very well and want to make amends for that, so it really is unlikely we’ll see another 4-0 masterclass. But you cannot say impossible, with this remarkable City team.