Pep Guardiola has openly acknowledged that Manchester City’s inconsistent form this season has led them to where they are now, facing Real Madrid in the Champions League play-off round. The outcome of this tie will be pivotal for City's season, which has been marked by turbulence despite their previous successes. For Guardiola’s side, advancing to the round of 16 is crucial for salvaging their campaign, while a loss could leave them with little to play for other than the FA Cup and securing a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Guardiola admitted that both Manchester City and Real Madrid have underperformed in this season’s group stage, resulting in their early meeting in this knockout round. As both teams have struggled, only one can progress. Guardiola expressed his uncertainty about which version of his team will show up for the first leg at the Etihad, citing a lack of consistency. He emphasized that City’s success over the past decade has been built on their ability to perform consistently every few days, a quality that has helped them win numerous trophies, including six Premier League titles in seven years.
The Manchester City manager highlighted his side's defensive vulnerabilities this season, noting that they have conceded more goals than usual, something that has been uncharacteristic of their typically tight defense. Despite these issues, Guardiola remained confident in his players, acknowledging their past achievements and the high standards they have set. He believes his team has the potential to rise to the occasion, but he can’t predict how they will perform until the game begins.
Guardiola also reflected on City’s disappointing group-stage results, admitting that they didn’t earn enough points to finish near the top, and conceded that the team’s current position is a reflection of their performance. However, he believes his squad still has something special to offer and hopes they can prove themselves in this crucial encounter.
Looking ahead to the match, Guardiola is wary of Real Madrid’s potent attacking players, including Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo. While he acknowledged that it’s impossible to completely neutralize these threats, he stressed the importance of controlling the game and minimizing their impact. Guardiola emphasized that City must focus on playing their game, especially in the first leg, in order to bring a positive result to Madrid for the second leg.
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