Real Madrid will want revenge – Guardiola
The manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, anticipates that Real Madrid will be motivated to seek revenge following their defeat by Manchester City in last season’s Champions League, where City emerged victorious on their path to claiming the title.
City secured a commanding victory over Real, winning 5-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
Nonetheless, Guardiola is confident that despite their previous defeat, the 14-time champions will present a formidable challenge in Tuesday’s quarter-final first leg in Madrid (20:00 BST).
“It is very difficult for the same thing to happen again,” Guardiola said.
“Beating Real Madrid twice in a row is impossible. They have learned and will want revenge. They have pride.”
Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of Real Madrid, is urging his team to demonstrate greater mental fortitude than they did in their encounter last season.
Following a 1-1 draw in Madrid, Manchester City went on to dominate Real in the second leg, securing a 4-0 victory.
“We played without courage, without personality,” said Ancelotti. “Courage and personality are fundamental in this type of game, we lacked them in the second leg.
“The important thing is to be at our best, the mental aspect is very important.”
Former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger kept Erling Haaland quiet in last season’s first leg but did not start the game in Manchester.
“[The first leg] was a good game and we stopped Haaland getting passes,” Rudiger said.
“The coach didn’t apologise [for dropping me] and doesn’t need to, I accept it, even though it was hard to accept.
“Now for this game the plan is to try and control dangerous players like Phil Foden, [Kevin] de Bruyne and, of course, Haaland.”
Last year, Real Madrid did not have Jude Bellingham, but the emergence of the England midfielder this season has been remarkable, as he has scored 20 goals across all competitions.
Ancelotti added: “He’s having a very good season in the penalty box.
“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. He’s only 20 years old but he’s very professional, very serious and humble.”
TEAM NEWS
Guardiola is undecided about whether to include Ederson in the starting lineup for the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
The Brazil international has been sidelined since sustaining an injury during the 1-1 draw with Liverpool on 10 March.
Instead, Stefan Ortega has been in goal for the last four games, keeping two clean sheets.
“I have to think about it. He [Ederson] feels good,” said Guardiola.
“Now I have to decide if a lack of rhythm for that match, I have to decide, but we are really pleased with the [performance] from Stefan Ortega. He is an exceptional keeper.”
Defenders Nathan Ake and Kyle Walker did not travel to Madrid for the game while Josko Gvardiol is a doubt after going off at half-time in the 4-2 win against Crystal Palace at the weekend.