Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says his players are ready for the challenge of facing Real Madrid in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League play-off clash.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Guardiola accepted that City cannot complain about being drawn against the Spanish giants and believes his team must raise their performance level to progress.
Guardiola said:
The draw is the draw and we accept the challenge.
Definitely. There are few clubs in Europe with a history like this (Real’s).
We have not done, let’s say, ‘quite well’ in the group stage, so we deserve to be where we are.
Guardiola acknowledged that both teams have dealt with injury problems this season but believes Real Madrid have managed their setbacks better, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side still competing at the top of La Liga. He added:
I think both teams have had problems in terms of injuries during the season. I think Madrid handle it much better than us because they are still top of the league and fighting against Atletico Madrid. That shows again the consistency they have.
The City boss also praised Real Madrid’s ability to perform under pressure and warned that his team will need two strong performances to secure qualification.
At the end they are a huge competitor. We know it. We have faced many times with them and how in the tough moments they bring the best of them – we know it. Of course we have to make two good games to go through.
