Guardiola: ‘Man City played worse than the first leg can still beat Real’

“Perhaps Man City need to play better than the first leg to reach the final. But we can also play much worse and still win. No one knows, football is very unpredictable.” Guardiola speaking before the semi-final second leg of the Champions League at the Bernabeu. “I don’t know what will happen. There are times when you train badly, but you play well on the pitch. Sometimes you win things you don’t deserve, and vice versa.”

In the first leg at Etihad, Man City two goals after 11 minutes thanks to the goals of Kevin de Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus. Despite being inferior, Real still shortened the gap after Karim Benzema’s one-touch cut and finish. In the second half, Man City twice re-established a two-goal lead thanks to Phil Foden and Bernado Silva. But Real proved the bravery to leave with the result minimum loss 3-4.

Man City always in the knockout round Champions League under Guardiola, with the best achievement being runner-up last season. The Spanish coach believes those experiences help his team draw a lot of experience to cope well with pressure. He said: “Over the years, we’ve been through big games like this, with scenarios like this… Now we know how to handle situations better, but that doesn’t mean Man City always wins.”

This season, Barca won 4-0 at Real in La Liga. That is Barca’s biggest victory at the Bernabeu, since the 6-2 victory in 2009. Guardiola insists that result has no reference value or helps Man City. The former Barca coach said: “I just watched the progress, not the whole match. I knew Ancelotti changed something that he usually doesn’t do tactically. I can’t take anything. nothing from Barca’s win to help Man City. I have a good relationship with Xavi. But Xavi has players that I don’t have, and vice versa.”

Before this match, Real had already solved the La Liga arena, defeating Espanyol to get enough points champion four rounds early. Coach Ancelotti thus became the first coach to win all five of Europe’s top championships. Guardiola said: “Congratulations to Ancelotti on winning La Liga. I did it, and he won it last week. I admire Ancelotti. He is a special person, has led most of the top clubs. world top. I met Ancelotti many years ago. Every time, I find Ancelotti calm and perfectly in control of his emotions.”

Guardiola confirmed Kyle Walker can return, while Joao Cancelo will start after missing the first leg due to a suspension. In the first leg, he had to place John Stones and then Fernandinho in the right-back position. Both kicked against their forte, and could not contain Vinicius. It was Fernandinho who let the Brazilian junior pass, leading to a goal to shorten the score 2-3 for Real.

Hong Duy (according to Marca)