Before the anticipated clash… Pep Guardiola calls on Manchester City to deliver a perfect performance against Real Madrid
Spanish coach Pep Guardiola, the coach of Manchester City, confirmed that his team is required to perform an exceptional match when it faces Real Madrid tomorrow, Tuesday, at the Etihad Stadium, in the second leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League.
Guardiola made clear during the press conference preceding the match that the confrontation will not be easy, especially after his team lost the first leg by 3-0, stressing that his players need to provide the best possible performance in order to try to overturn the result and achieve a historic comeback.
The Spanish coach said: "We only have one match in this round, and in football a lot can happen. I don't have a specific plan, but what we need is to do our best. After all these years everyone knows the confidence that such matches require. We are not the same team we were years ago, but it is still a great opportunity."
He added: "We will train tomorrow before the match, and if we perform well it will give us psychological peace. If the opposite happens, the feeling will be different. I know we are capable of creating chances, but it also depends on the strength of our defence. The mission." It is difficult, but in the end, this is a football match and anything is possible.”
Guardiola continued his speech, stressing that the team needs a perfect match: “We must perform fully throughout the ninety minutes and never give up. We know that we are capable of creating chances, but the most important thing is to be decisive in front of goal.”
Regarding the possibility of returning the result, he pointed out: “In many matches here on this field we scored four goals, and this is not impossible for us, but we must repeat that against a quality team. We have to run a lot and work hard throughout the match.”
Guardiola also recalled some of his memories of the comeback in the difficult results, explaining: “I remember one of the best comebacks we achieved when we turned the score around against Aston Villa, a match that later helped us win the English Premier League title. We have gone through many experiences of this kind, but to qualify we have to present a perfect match in every detail. Defeats, even painful ones, remain part of football.”
And so on Regarding the expected lineup for the match, the Spanish coach revealed that he has a clear vision: “I already know the starting lineup. We will train tomorrow and perhaps I only have one doubt, but the rest of the names are clear.”
Regarding the possibility of French star Kylian Mbappe participating with Real Madrid, Guardiola said: “We will see what happens. It is better to wait until tomorrow to find out whether he will participate or not.”
The Manchester City coach concluded his speech with an enthusiastic message to his players before the expected confrontation, stressing that the team must treat the match as if it were a match. Final: “There is not much to say to the players, it is a final for us. We have to perform perfectly if we want to turn the tables, we are all more mature now.”
