Facing Real Madrid? In football, you have to earn it

Manchester City heads into a defining moment in their season as they prepare to face Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League play-off, with Pep Guardiola fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead.

The reigning European champions have not had the smoothest campaign so far, with inconsistency creeping into their performances and injuries affecting key players. Despite this, Guardiola remains confident in his squad’s ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most.

Speaking ahead of the match, Guardiola acknowledged the difficulties City has faced this season. "We are where we are, and I know that perfectly well, but this team has something special, and I hope we can prove it tomorrow. I won’t deny the confidence I have in these players who have given us an incredible decade, winning so much and playing at the highest level. I know what we are capable of." His words reflect a deep trust in the core group of players who have led Manchester City to multiple domestic and European triumphs in recent years. Even in moments of struggle, Guardiola believes his squad can rise to the occasion, a belief forged through years of winning under immense pressure.

Manchester City has historically been dominant in domestic competitions, but their journey in Europe has been more challenging. After finally capturing the Champions League title last season, the expectations have only grown. However, this campaign has been different, with City failing to finish top of their group and now facing the daunting task of overcoming one of the most decorated clubs in European history. Guardiola admitted that their group stage performances were not up to standard, which led to them being drawn against such a formidable opponent in the play-off stage.

"To be honest, it's always better to play the second leg at home, as you get more time with your team. We’re playing the second leg away because we didn’t perform well in the group stage when you finish 22nd, you can't ask for favors. In football, you have to earn it, and we didn’t. We weren’t even close. So, when the draw was either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid, I thought, ‘This is what we deserve.’ Of course, going through would be important. It would mean we are in the next round. But we haven’t been stable this season. Winning trebles and quadruples people see how difficult that is. Back then, we were a machine. No matter what happened, we were always there. Over these nine years that I’ve been here, we’ve had many tough moments, but we always came back. It would be good for the club to be in this competition I like the feeling of being here, but now I already know our game plan for tomorrow. I still have doubts about the starting eleven we still have injuries but I’m always optimistic and calm. Let’s see what happens."

This level of honesty from Guardiola reflects the reality of City’s situation. Unlike in previous seasons, where they entered the knockout stages as overwhelming favorites, this time they face genuine adversity. With injuries and a lack of rhythm disrupting their usual dominance, the challenge of overcoming Real Madrid is even greater. Guardiola’s mention of past successes highlights the standard that City has set for itself, but also how maintaining such excellence is a monumental task. Winning the treble last season was an extraordinary achievement, but sustaining that level requires an almost flawless level of consistency something City has struggled with this time around.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this tie is the evolving rivalry between Manchester City and Real Madrid. While Madrid has long been the dominant force in European football, City has risen in recent years to become one of their biggest challengers. Guardiola acknowledged this growing rivalry but remained humble when comparing City’s history to that of the Spanish giants. "I would say in recent years, yes. We’ve won four games, drawn five, and lost three. So maybe recently, yes [this rivalry exists]. But in terms of Champions League history, we cannot compare ourselves to Real Madrid, AC Milan, or Bayern Munich. In the last decade, we’ve been here, and in recent years, we’ve played them a lot."

His words underline the respect he has for Real Madrid and their achievements. While City has established itself as a European powerhouse in modern times, Madrid’s legacy in the Champions League remains unmatched. With 14 titles to their name, Real Madrid has a unique aura in this competition, and City will need to be at their very best to overcome them. The two sides have met frequently in recent years, with City eliminating Madrid in last season’s semi-finals with a commanding performance. However, history has shown that Madrid thrives in these high-stakes moments, making this tie all the more unpredictable.

A major factor in this contest will be the attacking threats posed by Real Madrid. The Spanish side boasts an incredibly dangerous front line featuring Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham four players capable of deciding a game in an instant. Guardiola is fully aware of the threat they pose and emphasized the need for his team to be tactically disciplined. "They are exceptional we all know that. We will try to limit their influence on the game. They are very skillful and combine very well. They will try to do that against us, but we will try to impose our game, be intelligent, and get a good result for the second leg at the Bernabéu."

Containing Madrid’s attack will be one of City’s biggest challenges. Mbappé’s pace and finishing ability, Vinícius Jr.’s dribbling, Rodrygo’s movement, and Bellingham’s all-round brilliance make them a nightmare for any defense. City’s backline, which has been unsettled at times this season, will need to be at its absolute best to neutralize their threat. Guardiola’s tactical approach will be crucial, as City must find a balance between controlling possession and ensuring they are not exposed defensively.

For Manchester City, this tie represents an opportunity to reaffirm their status as one of Europe’s elite clubs. The path to defending their Champions League title was never going to be easy, but overcoming Real Madrid would be a significant statement. Guardiola’s experience in these high-pressure matches will be invaluable, and his ability to adapt tactically could be the key to City’s success.

As the first leg at the Etihad Stadium approaches, the stage is set for another classic battle between two of the strongest teams in world football. City will look to make the most of their home advantage before heading to Madrid for the decisive second leg. While Guardiola remains calm and confident, he knows that his team must deliver a near-perfect performance to overcome the challenge ahead. The question now is whether City can rise to the occasion once again, or if Real Madrid will once again prove why they are the kings of Europe.