Guardiola: “A Great Place To Prove Yourself” Ahead Of Champions League Clash With Madrid

‎Pep Guardiola has urged his Manchester City squad to show they can flourish at the Bernabéu against Real Madrid.

‎Returning to one of Europe’s most iconic stages for a Champions League clash on Wednesday night, City will do so without many of the experienced stars who have been central to the many battles with the Spaniards in recent seasons.

‎Guardiola confirmed that John Stones and Rodri were sidelined with injuries, while key figures like Ederson, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gündoğan, and Kyle Walker have already left the club.

‎As usual, Guardiola drew significant attention when he arrived for his pre-match briefing.

‎However, the bigger storyline centers on the uncertain future of Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso.

‎Alonso has presided over a disastrous run of two wins in seven matches in all competitions, which has resulted in a 12-point swing with Barcelona in La Liga; Madrid’s rivals are now four points clear at the top. Alonso desperately needs a result against City; a defeat could have grave consequences for him.

‎Guardiola tried to shift the attention back to his own team, emphasizing that they were still in a transitional phase. He stated that this process began with the £185m spent on new signings last January and carried on through the summer.

‎It was, he suggested, a period for his new players to develop.

‎“We have lost important players … De Bruyne, Gundo, Walker; Stones and Rodri are not here,” the City manager said. “Many players are new and they have to experience it on these stages and know that for the next time, I have done it and can do it again.

‎”It’s always a good place to come to prove yourself.”

‎The City captain, Bernardo Silva, was asked whether the game could serve as a barometer of the team’s progress. “Maybe, yes,” he replied.

‎“It is just one more game but it’s definitely a very good test in this environment. It’s a very different [City] team because the club made the decision to change a lot of players and give a new dynamic.

‎”It’s a team full of potential and energy.”

‎This will be the 11th Champions League meeting of these teams in seven seasons. The previous 10 encounters were all two-legged ties in the knockout rounds, Madrid progressing three times; City two. The Alonso storyline provided the greatest drama and Guardiola said he had sympathy for his one-time Bayern Munich player, telling a packed press conference at the Bernabeu that he “loved” him.

‎At one point, Guardiola said Alonso “should pee with his own” in other words, take control of his own destiny. Guardiola said, “Barcelona and Madrid are the toughest clubs to be a manager … the pressure and environment. If I’d done last season [with City] here, I would’ve been sacked. Of course, Xabi is capable of doing what is required.”

‎Guardiola also talked about the problem of the Madrid media knowing everything that happened in the dressing room. He added, “It depends on what power the hierarchy wants to give. If they want to give it to the manager, the manager has the power.

‎”If they give it to the players, the players have it.”

‎Alonso’s team has still managed to win four of their five Champions League matches. City, meanwhile, is eager to respond after its 2-0 home loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the previous round.

‎Guardiola, who made 10 changes that night, felt several of the replacements lacked the confidence to truly express themselves.