Pep Guardiola has expressed confidence that Manchester City can overturn a 3–0 deficit against Real Madrid in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.
The Citizens face a tough task at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday after suffering a heavy first-leg defeat to the Spanish giants at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium last week.
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However, Guardiola insisted the tie is not beyond his side’s reach.
“It’s a football game; many things can happen,” Pep said during his pre-match press conference on Monday.
“We have to focus and try to win the game and then see what happens. I don’t have a specific plan, just try.”
Guardiola has opted not to hold a training session on the eve of the match, allowing players more recovery time following their trip to Madrid and Saturday’s 1–1 draw with West Ham United, which dented City’s Premier League title hopes.
“Training won’t improve us a lot, and we don’t have time to train,” Guardiola explained. “I prefer them to be at home.”
The Spaniard, who made his name as both a player and manager with Barcelona, Real Madrid’s fierce rivals, added that the squad will instead hold a light session on matchday.
“We will train tomorrow (Tuesday). We will arrive at 2:00 pm, move the legs a little and go,” he said.
“I’ve done it two or three times this season.”
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