‘Many things can happen’: Pep Guardiola positive before Madrid clash

17 March,2026 08:41 AM IST |  Manchester  |  AFP

Manchester City boss Guardiola hopeful of overturning 0-3 deficit at home vs Real Madrid

Manchester City skipper Bernardo Silva (centre) celebrates scoring against West Ham in an EPL match recently. Pic/Getty Images


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Pep Guardiola has insisted "many things can happen" as his Manchester City side try to overturn a 3-0 deficit against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

City face a huge task to rescue their last-16 tie at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday after following a heavy defeat by the European giants in last week's first leg at the Bernabeu Stadium.

Pep Guardiola

But City manager Guardiola, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday, said: It's a football game, many things can happen. "We have to focus and try to win the game and after see what happens. I don't have a specific plan -- just try."

Guardiola has opted not to train on the day prior to the game as the team recover from the trip to Madrid and their 1-1 draw at West Ham on Saturday which damaged City's Premier League title hopes. "Training won't improve us a lot and we don't have time to train," Guardiola said.

"I prefer them to be at home." The Spaniard, who made his name as a player and manager with Real's arch-rivals Barcelona, added: "We will train tomorrow (Tuesday). We will arrive at 2:00 pm (1400 GMT), move the legs a little and go. I've done it two or three times this season."

Four
No. of teams that have overturned a three-goal deficit in the UCL second leg; Man City have never done so

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