Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has spoken out on his chances of advancing beyond Real Madrid in the Champions League this week.
City are of course primed to make the trip to Spain’s capital on Wednesday evening, for the 2nd of a two-legged affair against La Liga champions Real Madrid.
As things stand, it is the latter who boast the advantage in the tie.
This comes owing to a last-gasp comeback victory at The Etihad in the opener last week.
Tournament specialists Real are therefore considered the favourites to ultimately book their spot in the Champions League’s Last-16.
Man City, though, are fresh off one of their best performances of a difficult season to date over the weekend, culminating in a 4-0 drubbing of Newcastle United.
Trailing by only a solitary goal, the Sky Blues are in turn not at all out of their tie with Real Madrid.
One individual keen to play down the chances of the reigning English champions turning things around at the Santiago Bernabéu, though, is Pep Guardiola.
Drawn on his side’s hopes in Spain in the aftermath of City’s win over Newcastle, Guardiola, in quotes gathered by Diario Sport, explained:
“Of course this win (against Newcastle) helps us, but listen. The margin to win at the Bernabéu is very small. I don’t know if we reach one percent… Perhaps it will be less. If you ask people before the game, everyone knows it is their turn to pass.
“Whenever we have the opportunity we will try, that is obvious. We’re going all out, but this season we’re miles away. The reality is that we have had a very poor performance and results this season and just one game is not going to change the reality of the team.”
Conor Laird – GSFN
