Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned that Real Madrid will come into Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg determined to avenge last season’s heavy semi-final defeat. City dismantled the Spanish giants 5-1 on aggregate in their previous encounter, but Guardiola is under no illusions about the challenge ahead.
“Beating Real Madrid twice in a row is impossible,” Guardiola said. “They have learned and will want revenge. They have pride.”
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti echoed Guardiola’s warning, stressing the need for mental strength and resilience. Reflecting on last season’s semi-final, Ancelotti admitted his team lacked key qualities, particularly courage and personality, in high-stakes matches.
“Courage and personality are fundamental in this type of game, we lacked them in the second leg,” he remarked.
On the tactical side, former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, who played a key role in containing Erling Haaland in last season’s first leg, explained Real Madrid’s focus on neutralizing City’s attacking threats.
“The plan is to try and control dangerous players like Phil Foden, [Kevin] De Bruyne, and, of course, Haaland,” Rudiger said.
Madrid’s lineup this season has been strengthened by the addition of midfielder Jude Bellingham, whose influence on both ends of the pitch has been significant. Ancelotti praised the young Englishman’s maturity, versatility, and ability to impact games in attack and defense.
“He’s having a very good season in the penalty box,” Ancelotti said. “He’s physically very strong and he’s helping us a lot in the defensive aspects and up front, to create space and provide movement. He’s very mature.”
As the two European heavyweights prepare to clash once again, City aim to maintain their dominance while Real Madrid are determined to rewrite the narrative and secure a place in the semi-finals.
