Guardiola confident ‘special’ Man City can beat Real Madrid | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has said his team have ‘something special’ and is confident Manchester City can beat Real Madrid in the Champions League.

City host the European champions in the first leg of their play-off round tie tomorrow. Both sides have underwhelmed in this season’s competition and must navigate a play-off to reach the last 16.

Guardiola’s team snuck through in qualification after ending the league phase 22nd and now face a tough test against the record 15-time winners. It’s been a difficult season for the Citizens, who have endured a steep decline from last season’s Premier League title success.

However, Guardiola is refusing to write off his team’s season and believes the Blues have it in them to achieve ‘something special’ this campaign.

“We are where we are, and I know perfectly but the team has something special and hopefully tomorrow we can prove it,” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference.

“I will not deny how I trust with the players who gave us that incredible decade, winning a lot of things and playing a high standard, I know what we are capable of.

“To be honest it is always better to have a second leg at home in case you have extra time with your people.

“We play the second game away because we were not good in the group stage – when you finish 22nd you cannot ask for any favours.

“In football you have to deserve it – we do not deserve it. We were not even close. That’s why when the draw was either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid, I thought that is what we deserve.

“Of course [going through] it would be important. We would be in the next round.

“But we have not been stable this season. We achieved Trebles and quadruples and we see how difficult it is. It is because we were a machine. Doesn’t matter what happened, we were there.

“We have many cases in the nine years I have been here where we suffer but always, we came back.

“It would be good for the club to be in this competition – I like to feel we are there but now, I know the game plan tomorrow.

“I still have doubts about the selection – we still have injuries. I am always optimistic and calm.

“We will see what happens.”

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