Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has downplayed his team’s hopes of overturning their 3-2 first-leg deficit against Real Madrid, admitting they have only a “one per cent” chance of progressing in Wednesday’s Champions League play-off clash.
City had led 2-1 at home last week before conceding twice in the final four minutes, leaving them with a mountain to climb at the Bernabeu.
“The margin to win at the Bernabeu from that position—everybody knows—the percentage to go through is minimal. We arrive at one per cent, or I don’t know what, but it will be very small,” Guardiola admitted.
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“But as long as we have a chance, we will try—that’s for sure. We are going like we always have, but the reality is we have been miles away this season. We have been really, really poor in performances and results.”
City, however, will travel to Spain with renewed confidence after a 4-0 victory over Newcastle in the Premier League, which boosted their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
“For one game, against Newcastle, we played really well, but it’s not going to change the reality,” Guardiola added. “Of course, it’s better to go to Madrid with this result, but we know how difficult it will be.”
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