Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke to the media stores inside the press room beforehand of the first leg of the Champions League semi-very last against Real Madrid.
The Spanish train wanted to start by way of talking approximately the group's scenario: "We are in the semi-finals. It is an honour. We got here the manner we got here. We are with teams that have continually been in history. We have become there.
"In the ultimate decade, we have been there within the Champions League, we've got been via the organization stage, we've got been to the closing 16, the semi-very last.... It's a technique. I've continually had that feeling, also with Bayern, how high-quality it's miles to be right here, with the great in Europe. Being here represents some thing very quality. We have to compete nicely and play two outstanding video games to attain the very last. It is going without pronouncing how tons recognize we've got for Real Madrid. We need to reach the very last and win it, much like Real Madrid or Liverpool," brought Pep.
The Catalan teach gave no clues as to the starting eleven he'll field against Carlo Ancelotti's facet: "If a participant has to play in a function he is not used to, I'm sure he's going to give his exceptional. We have a schooling consultation this afternoon. We'll see how the players experience. We have tonight and Tuesday morning to decide. Stones and Walker are doubts. We will determine earlier than the sport.
Questioned approximately Real Madrid's records in the Champions League, the Catalan coach commented: "If we must play in opposition to their records, we may not stand a chance. They are better at that. But we're looking ahead to competing against them, it's an outstanding check. We want to attempt.
He added: "We have to go through whilst we must, live collectively and, while we've got the ball, assault. The identical as though we have been playing towards Bayern or Barcelona, teams that have been right here often. In the last decade, we are coming here, and that's superb. Their players have come and received quite a few finals. We are 11 in opposition to eleven. For us, it's a large mission.
The Manchester City supervisor also had time to talk about Karim Benzema: "The two games towards Sporting and the first one towards Atlético we performed nicely and didn't concede, however in the second leg towards Atlético they performed better and created possibilities. Obviously, Benzema scores quite a few desires, not just against Chelsea, however in his complete career. He is amazing.
