Guardiola Eyes Home Advantage in Champions League Showdown
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes hosting the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 could be a game-changer—especially if the match heads into extra time or penalties.
City will kick off the first leg at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, with the return fixture set for Santiago Bernabeu in Spain. Guardiola admitted he would have preferred to close the tie at home, emphasizing the crucial support fans provide in high-stakes moments.
Tough Road Ahead for City
Reflecting on their group stage performance, Guardiola acknowledged City’s lower seeding resulted in a more challenging path.
“To be honest, playing the second leg at home is always better, especially if the game goes into extra time,” he said. “But we finished 22nd in the group stage, so we can’t ask for favors.”
Stopping Real Madrid’s Firepower
Guardiola is focused on countering Real Madrid’s lethal attack, knowing that controlling their key players will be crucial.
“It’s tough to contain world-class players for two full games,” he admitted. “Our job is to limit their impact as much as possible. We need to control possession, disrupt their pace, and stick to our game plan to set up a strong second leg.”
Real Madrid’s Recent Struggles
Carlo Ancelotti’s side has had a mixed run of form, securing just one win in their last three matches. However, with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior leading the attack, they remain a serious threat.
Meanwhile, City winger Savinho weighed in on the unusual scenario of both teams facing each other in the knockout stage rather than later rounds.
“I don’t think Manchester City or Real Madrid should be in the playoffs,” Savinho remarked. “Both clubs have built a legacy in European football, and we should be progressing more comfortably.”
With two European giants clashing, the stage is set for a thrilling battle that could shape the rest of the tournament.
