City Boss Calls for ‘Perfect’ Performance to Overturn Champions League Deficit
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has come clean about his earlier claims that his team had just a “one per cent chance” of defeating Real Madrid in the Champions League, admitting he exaggerated their odds. The Premier League champions now face an uphill battle to overturn a 3-2 aggregate deficit after a thrilling first-leg defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
The tie took a dramatic turn in the dying moments of the first leg when Jude Bellingham’s last-minute goal handed Real Madrid the advantage, despite Erling Haaland twice putting City ahead. The winner of the tie will advance to face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown at the Bernabeu.
Guardiola, known for his mind games and tactical brilliance, confessed to reporters with a smile, “Every time I say what I think, you don’t believe me, but this time you got it right—I lied.” He explained that his earlier pessimism stemmed from the disappointment of the first-leg result, saying, “It’s true I said it because after the match in England, we were out.”
However, the City boss remains hopeful, acknowledging the challenge but emphasizing the need for a near-flawless performance. “Always it’s very tough coming to the Bernabeu, with the history, but we’ve had good moments here. Let’s see if we can at least scare them, and we’ll see what happens,” he said.
Guardiola stressed that his team must be courageous and play to win, despite the daunting task ahead. “We have to attack and score goals; this is the idea. We will have to play an almost perfect game to go through,” he added. Drawing parallels to other top teams, he noted, “It’s the same going to Arsenal or Liverpool right now or Barcelona. The big teams qualified for the top eight—it is quite similar.”
The City squad has received a timely boost ahead of the crucial match, with key players nearing full fitness. Guardiola confirmed that Haaland has recovered from a knock, while Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, and Jack Grealish are also close to being match-ready. “Yes, they travelled. We will see tomorrow, but it’s good news they are here, obviously,” he said.
Reflecting on Grealish’s recent form, Guardiola added, “Jack was able to play a really good game in the FA Cup, but after, he doesn’t have the consistency to play three games a week. Hopefully, now he is able for the last few months of the season to get it.”
As City prepare for their must-win clash, Guardiola’s message is clear: play with courage, be yourselves, and seize the moment. With the Bernabeu awaiting, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter that could define City’s Champions League campaign.
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