Manchester City find themselves facing a daunting task as they head to Real Madrid for the second leg of their Champions League knockout play-off, knowing they must pull off something special to secure a spot in the last 16.
Last week’s encounter at the Etihad didn’t end well for City’s fans. Despite a strong showing, they suffered a 3-2 defeat after conceding two late goals, courtesy of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who orchestrated crucial plays that led to goals by Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham. It was another frustrating collapse for Pep Guardiola and his squad.
However, all hope is not lost for the Citizens. Their spirits were lifted following a commanding 4-0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday. This win could be just the confidence boost they need ahead of their trip to Spain. With their impressive track record over recent years, the team might just fancy their chances of overturning the deficit, even though Guardiola cautiously described their prospect of progressing as being just “1%”.
Pep Guardiola singled out January addition Nico Gonzalez for praise during the match against Newcastle, calling him a “mini Rodri.” The young Spaniard made a notable impact and City will be hoping he can replicate that performance at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, as they strive to keep their Champions League hopes afloat.
Adding to their cautious optimism is Real Madrid’s less-than-stellar league form. The Spanish giants have not managed a win in their last three LaLiga outings, the most recent being a 1-1 draw at Osasuna. This dip in Real’s domestic form might just provide the opening Manchester City needs to stage a comeback.
