“The club made a decision” – Bernardo Silva explains why Manchester City are ‘different’ against Real Madrid | OneFootball

Bernardo Silva has outlined why he believes this latest iteration of Manchester City are different to the side that last visited the Bernabeu to face Real Madrid.

City arrived in the Spanish capital on Tuesday with a sense of renewed purpose, determined to respond to their setback against Bayer Leverkusen in the previous UEFA Champions League outing.

The mood within the camp has shifted by recent games, with improved Premier League performances and results, while City know a result in Madrid could dramatically alter the complexion of their European campaign and restore momentum.

Recent domestic form has played its part, with City putting together dominant displays. Even in fixtures where the scoreline did not fully reflect their superiority, Guardiola’s squad have demonstrated increased sharpness – characteristics occasionally missing earlier in the campaign.

There is also the weight of history as City and Real Madrid are familiar opponents, with previous meetings loaded with drama and defining individual performances. But this version of City is not the same as the one that previously stepped into the Bernabeu following significant summer departures and arrivals reshaping the identity of the squad.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday night, Bernardo Silva said of the new-look City side to visit the Bernabeu, “As you know, a very different team because the players are different.

“The club made a decision of changing a lot of players, of giving a new dynamic to the team, so it’s a different team full of potential, full of energy. And we’re looking forward to the game, we’re looking forward to a tough game.”

The Portugal international continued, “We know how difficult it is to come here to the Bernabeu.

“But the feeling and the energy in the dressing room this season has been quite good, even when the results weren’t as good as the performances. So we’re very excited, it’s a good test for us!”

Looking ahead, Bernardo Silva’s comments hint at a Manchester City side still discovering its peak but confident that the core foundations remain strong enough to challenge Europe’s elite.

The match-up with Real Madrid will test the squad’s maturity, defensive structure, and ability to convert chances – issues that have defined their Champions League journey so far. A positive showing could act as a turning point, however.

Should Pep Guardiola’s side demonstrate they can control and compete at this level with their refreshed group, the narrative surrounding their season could shift dramatically.