Pep Guardiola acknowledges that his team thrives when faced with pressure, as they aim to conquer Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash.
Last season, City secured their first-ever Champions League title with Rodri's decisive goal in the final against Inter. This remarkable achievement marked a historic treble for the team, as they also clinched the Premier League title and triumphed in the FA Cup for the second time under Guardiola.
The Spanish manager is aiming to achieve a historic feat by leading an English team to consecutive trebles. With the recent outcomes in the Premier League, their chances of accomplishing this are incredibly high.
However, before that can happen, Manchester City must first overcome Real Madrid, who have won the prestigious tournament 14 times, in the second leg of their quarter-final clash at the Etihad Stadium. The first leg ended in an exhilarating 3-3 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu. Guardiola firmly believes that his players possess the necessary skills and mental strength to handle the pressure and meet the expectations.
Guardiola expressed his surprise at the players' positions in the first leg and emphasized the need to analyze them. He acknowledged Carlo Ancelotti's experience and the possibility of him implementing different tactics. Guardiola also highlighted the importance of being prepared and imposing pressure on the opposition.
He further mentioned that his players thrive under pressure and enjoy the challenge of high-stakes situations. While he didn't confirm whether they would adopt that approach, he expressed confidence in his team's determination and commitment until the very end based on their preparations and mindset.
In terms of City's chances of becoming domestic champions again, the speaker clarified that he is not making that claim. However, he emphasized that City will definitely compete.
The recent match between City and Madrid is just another chapter in their intense rivalry, which has been a dominant force in the Champions League for the past few seasons. In the 2021/22 season, Madrid emerged victorious in a closely contested semi-final clash. However, City sought redemption in the following season by delivering a resounding 4-0 victory against Ancelotti's team in front of their passionate home crowd.
With goals from Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, and Josko Gvardiol, City finds themselves in a favorable position once again. Nevertheless, they are fully aware that they should not underestimate Madrid, a team capable of defeating any opponent, whether playing at home or away.
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