Bernardo: We still believe it is possible | OneFootball

Bernardo Silva says Manchester City want to make more special memories when we face Real Madrid in our UEFA Champions League play-off on Wednesday night.

City are fighting for a place in the last-16 but go to the Santiago Bernabeu trailing after our 3-2 defeat last week.

It is the fifth time we have played the Spanish side during Bernardo’s time at the Club with both teams going through twice.

Our encounters have become classic European occasions with our last visit to Madrid’s home finishing 3-3 with Bernardo opening the scoring.

The Portuguese has mixed feelings when he looks back at our duels with Real but says we travel to Spain with hope despite the home side having the advantage.

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“My memories of playing against them are mixed - a mix of emotions,” he said in his pre-match news conference.

“We played four times - eight, nine now. We knocked them out of the Champions League twice, they knocked us out twice and now it’s the fifth time we go against each other again.

“When you get knocked out twice it is not nice. Especially the way it happened. I remember the first time they knocked us out it was in the last minutes and then last time we lost on penalties.

“But also good memories and we're looking forward to a good game tomorrow.”

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Among the games that Bernardo has played in were the games in 2020 when we won both legs home and away.

He also scored twice in our 4-0 semi-final second leg victory at the Etihad on our way to the winning the trophy in 2023.

While it’s the fourth time we have met in successive seasons, Bernardo says it’s frustrating to face such tough opponents so early.

“It’s very disappointing for sure,” he added. “Of course when the season started I wouldn't believe you if you told me we were in this place in the Premier League and playing Madrid in the playoffs, not the latter stages.

“We put ourselves in this situation, so we deserve to be in this complicated situation of having to play such a tough team because we finished 22nd if I am not mistaken.

“If things don't go our way, it would be a lesson for the future.”

Asked about what the players will be discussing ahead of the 20:00 (UK) kick-off, Bernardo said City are simply motivated to remain in the competition.

“I don't think my team-mates need a lot of motivation to play this competition and this opposition,” he said.

“It will be a special game. What this would mean after so many bad results, to stay in this competition knowing we will not win the other most important competition the Premier League, it is always a big motivation for us.

“Still we believe it is possible. We are playing a very good team - a team with so many special moments in this competition.”