Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke to the media ahead of his team’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, emphasizing both the difficulty of the challenge and the importance of embracing nights like these in European football.
Guardiola acknowledged that playing in stadiums like the Bernabéu is part of competing at the highest level and something teams must learn to handle if they want to remain among Europe’s elite.
“If we are not able to handle this situation
when we play at Anfield or Old Trafford or Emirates or Stamford Bridge or Bayern Munich or PSG in that moment, you have to live that. It is better to be here than not to be here. I prefer to be here and come to this stadium in the last-16 because that means we are in more or less the elite of Europe.
This club was never here 12 or 13 years ago so as much as you play these games, it is always learning and always experience for the future. Of course we want to go through and are going to give everything to go through next Tuesday and continue.”
The City manager also highlighted that his team arrives in a stronger physical condition compared to the same stage last season, particularly in terms of squad availability.
“We arrive better in terms of we have the squad. Last season we arrived with a lot of fatigue and so few players available.”
Guardiola was also asked about facing Real Madrid under Álvaro Arbeloa, but he admitted there are few surprises when two top teams meet frequently in European competition.
“No, honestly, no surprises. I think we know each other, Arbeloa knows us. Of course there are some adjustments we have to do for the quality they have, but no surprises”
Despite the respect he holds for Real Madrid, Guardiola stressed that his team must approach the match with confidence and identity.
“You have to face the opponent with incredible respect, but look in their eyes and say okay this is who we are as a team.
And you have to do it. Maybe you are lucky and go through.”
Finally, Guardiola addressed the threat posed by Vinícius Jr. and Real Madrid’s fast, direct players. With Kyle Walker no longer in the squad — a defender City often relied on to deal with Vinícius in past meetings — Guardiola emphasized the need for collective discipline and defensive awareness.
“We used to have Kyle Walker (to stop Vinicius). Of course Vinicius is a constant threat. We have to stay together and try not to lose the ball. We have to turn on our motor and start running. Players like Vinicius, Valverde, Trent, you can’t give them space. We have to impose the way we want to play.”
