UEFA Champions League 2025-26: City faces tough test against Real Madrid as Guardiola keeps faith in comeback

Pep Guardiola has insisted “many things can happen” as Manchester City attempts to overturn a 3-0 deficit against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.

City faces a huge task in the round of 16 second leg at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday after suffering a heavy defeat in last week’s first leg at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Monday, Guardiola said: “It’s a football game, many things can happen.

“We have to focus and try to win the game and then see what happens. I don’t have a specific plan, just to try.”

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Guardiola has opted against holding a training session on the eve of the match as the team recovers from the trip to Madrid and Saturday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United, which dented City’s Premier League title hopes.

“Training won’t improve us a lot and we don’t have time to train,” Guardiola said. “I prefer them to be at home.”

The Spaniard, who made his name as a player and manager with FC Barcelona, added that City would instead train briefly on matchday.

“We will train tomorrow. We will arrive at 2:00 pm, move the legs a little and go. I’ve done it two or three times this season,” he said.

Published on Mar 16, 2026