Pep Guardiola has given Manchester City players a day off ahead of their crucial return leg against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, according to Fabrizio Romano on his official X handle.
Fabrizio posted:
Pep Guardiola decides to give a day off to Manchester City players ahead of return leg vs Real Madrid.
Softfootball gathered that The decision follows City’s 1–1 draw with West Ham United in Matchday 30 of the Premier League on March 14, 2026. City took the lead in the 31st minute when Bernardo Silva finished a move assisted by Omar Marmoush.
However, the advantage lasted only four minutes as Konstantinos Mavropanos equalised in the 35th minute with an assist from Jarrod Bowen.
The result leaves Manchester City on 61 points in the league standings, nine points behind leaders Arsenal, who currently sit on 70 points in the title race.
City now turn their focus to the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Real Madrid after suffering a heavy 3–0 defeat in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The standout performer in that match was Federico Valverde, who scored the first senior hat-trick of his career.
Valverde opened the scoring in the 20th minute with an assist from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois before doubling Madrid’s advantage in the 27th minute after a move created by Vinícius Júnior, putting the Spanish side firmly in control of the tie.
