Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has conceded that his team has only a “one per cent” chance of progressing past Real Madrid in their crucial UEFA Champions League showdown on Wednesday.
City suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat at home in the first leg of their play-off tie, despite holding a 2-1 lead with just four minutes remaining. The dramatic late collapse has left the Premier League giants in a precarious position ahead of their trip to the Santiago Bernabéu.
Guardiola: “The Margin to Win at the Bernabéu is Minimal”
Acknowledging the challenge ahead, Guardiola admitted that the odds are stacked against City.
“The margin to win at the Bernabéu from that position, everybody knows, the percentage to go through, we arrive at one per cent. Or I don’t know what, but it will be minimal,” said Guardiola.
“But as much as you have a chance, we will try, that’s for sure. We are going like we always have done, but this season, the reality is we have been miles away. We have been really, really poor in performances and results this season.”
City Seeking Momentum After Newcastle Victory
Manchester City, however, will take some confidence into the second leg after a commanding 4-0 victory over Newcastle in the Premier League, a result that strengthened their bid to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
“For one game, Saturday, we played really good, but it’s not going to change the opinion, the reality,” Guardiola added. “But, of course, it’s better to travel to Madrid with this result.”
Can Manchester City Pull Off a Champions League Miracle?
With their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread, City will need a monumental performance in Madrid to overturn their deficit. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Guardiola’s men can defy the odds and secure a place in the next round.
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