On Monday afternoon, coach Pep Guardiola, from the Manchester Cityheld a press conference before the game with the Real Madridvalid for the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The experienced Spanish coach projected a difficult and regretted the loss of the squad for the match (Kyle Wlaker and Aké).
“That’s the way it is. Real Madrid also have problems with Alaba, Courtois and Militão. It’s Walker who can best stop Vinicius Jr., but injuries are part of such a long season. Unfortunately we are having a lot of injuries in this stretch decisive factor of the season”, he began.
Guardiola took the opportunity to draw a comparison between the last clashes involving the teams. The coach claimed that playing at the Santiago Bernabéu, home of the Madrid team, is ‘weighing’.
Coming up from the Santiago Bernabeu 🩵 pic.twitter.com/j4mrP7Qze7
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 8, 2024
“Last year we had a very big emotional component, due to the return and the possibility of being in another final. Two years ago, it happened and now it has changed. Tomorrow will be different. Carlo will look for alternatives and so will I. There are missing pieces in the defense and we will have to find something to do. In the first legs, teams always try harder, but playing at the Bernabéu always weighs heavily”, he added.
The Spaniard also highlighted that it is a ‘relief’ to have already won the Champions League and reaffirmed the balance between the two teams. “As a club it was a relief. We were doing a lot of good things, but we didn’t win the Champions League, something very complicated. It’s not like clubs like Inter, Bayern, Madrid, Milan, in terms of history we are newcomers, but we did it. Being among The best 16 is very good for us. Tomorrow and the second leg will be even.”
PEP 💬 We focus on what we have to do, discover the strength points of our rival and go for it. Focus on the football game. pic.twitter.com/S6z5GlMTAC
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 8, 2024
Asked about Jude Bellingham, a Real Madrid and England player, Pep Guardiola praised him, highlighting the player’s mentality.
“He played against us for Dortmund when he was 17. Not just the skills. What makes the difference is what he has in his head. He also met coaches like Ancelotti, who found his ideal position. He is also brilliant with national team. He is 20 years old and has an incredible career ahead of him,” he said.
Real Madrid and Manchester City face off, this Tuesday, at 4pm (Brasília time), in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Champions League, at the Santiago Bernabéu. The return, at the Etihad Stadium, will be next Wednesday (17). Whoever advances to the semi-final will face the winner of the clash between Bayern Munchen e Arsenal.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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