Exclusive: Sergio Aguero assesses Manchester City line-up from Real Madrid loss | OneFootball

Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero has given his verdict on Pep Guardiola’s chosen starting XI for last week’s 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Guardiola drew strong criticism for over-thinking his selection in the opening leg of City’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie, deploying an uncharacteristic two-man midfield of Bernardo Silva and Rodri – and moving Nico O’Reilly to left-back despite the Englishman largely playing in midfield since January.

A 22 minute Federico Valverde hat-trick in the first-half in Madrid has left Manchester City with a mountain to climb in the return leg at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night, with the Blues needing a miracle to progress to the quarter-final.

Speaking exclusively to City Xtra on behalf of Stake ahead of a monumental second leg clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid, Aguero has given his two cents on his former club’s performance in Madrid last week.

How poor was that performance from Pep Guardiola in the first leg?

The Argentine said: “City started very well. In the first 15 minutes, they played good football and had chances to score. After the first goal, it became more difficult for them and Valverde, who had a fantastic game, made the difference.

“It’s hard to talk about defensive problems when we know that in Guardiola’s teams everyone defends and everyone attacks. But the reality is that Madrid took advantage of the spaces City left – and Madrid didn’t miss their chances.”

Aguero’s take on the first leg is in line with that of Guardiola and club captain Silva, both of whom have indicated that the result looks far worse than Manchester City’s performance suggested.

Did you ever find that Guardiola complicates his lineups for the big Champions League games?

“We all know what Pep is like and that he often makes changes to the line-up,” Aguero added. “It doesn’t surprise me. And many times those tweaks have worked extremely well for him.

“It’s easy to talk when it doesn’t work. Guardiola trusts his instincts and his perceptions and that will always be the case.”

Aguero will be rooting for his former club to pull off the improbable yet not impossible when Manchester City put all their eggs in one basket and give it everything they have to overturn a three-goal deficit at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.

Guardiola and Silva have called upon the fans to create an atmosphere of mayhem to drive their players on, with the Blues in desperate need of confidence ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Arsenal at Wembley.