Pep Guardiola will be aiming to mastermind one of the all-time Champions League comebacks this week as Manchester City host Real Madrid in the second leg of their last-16 clash
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has told any players who don’t believe that they can come back against Real Madrid to stay at home for the game. The Premier League side have a huge task on their hands this week as they welcome the Spanish giants to the Etihad.
City find themselves 3-0 down after the first leg at the Bernabeu, Federico Valverde having netted a hat-trick in Madrid. But Guardiola has said that not a single player should think they are out already and has told those who have that view to not even come to the game.
Speaking after the weekend draw against West Ham United, Guardiola said: “If they don't believe, it's a problem. They are adults. They have good salaries.
"If they don't believe in that in the Champions League, go home, stay home. We have to try. What do we have to lose?
"Madrid never came back in history? I don't know how many - 50 Champions League games, they never came back from 3-0? Of course, it's a tough result. But we have to try, for respect for the people, for fans, for our job, you know?"
Guardiola is not the only one to have fired a warning to the City dressing room. Spanish midfielder Rodri, who has been linked with a move to Madrid, believes that a comeback could potentially be on the cards.
He said: “Absolutely (we can turn the tie around against Real Madrid). We have to be more clinical and take a step forward in that regard, yes.
“I think we have everything else: the style of play, the ability to create chances... It’s true that we couldn’t do it the other day, but we have to lift the team, because we have an important match on Tuesday. Above all, the team needs to create.”
He added: “We learned many things from the first leg, but the Champions League is a two-legged affair. There’s still the second leg. We need to analyze what we did wrong, adjust it, and above all, put the ball in the net.”
While City’s Champions League hopes look remote, their chances of lifting the Premier League crown this season are also dwindling. Guardiola’s side sit nine points adrift of Arsenal following the weekend’s stalemate with West Ham, while the Gunners managed to beat Everton late on.