Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has admitted that Tuesday’s clash in the return leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 with Real Madrid will be a herculean task, considering his side’s three-goal deficit, news.ng reports.
Guardiola, during a pre-match press conference on Monday, said he is expecting nothing less than the best from his players when they face Los Blancos tomorrow at the Etihad Stadium.
Recall that last Wednesday, City were beaten 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, narrowing their chances of qualifying for the next round.
Despite being three goals down, the coach admitted that in football anything can happen.
“It’s a football game, and many things can happen. This sport has taught us that a lot of things can happen in a football game. We have to focus and try to firstly win the game and then, after see what happens,” he said.
On the readiness of his team, the Man City boss acknowledged that a majority of his players, who are new, are not used to the intensity of European nights, but the fixture presents an opportunity for them to prove themselves.
“Most of them are new in this experience, and we are not the same group that many years. But at the same time, it’s an incredible experience and opportunity to try,” he explained.
The former Bayern Munich coach, while boasting about his team’s attacking ability, noted that the result will depend on how well his defenders compose themselves.
“I am not concerned about creating chances; I am pretty sure we are able to do it. It’s about how we are going to defend.
“The task is massive to score three goals against Madrid isn’t easy, and the result in the first leg isn’t a perfect one.
“The perfect game in many senses, for 93 minutes and we will just try and try, don’t give up. We can create for sure millions of chances, we know that. If we are able to be clinical and especially defend well, always we will be in the game.”
