MAN CITY WARY OF WEAKENED REAL MADRID – Guardiola aware of Real Madrid’s habit of producing their best in tough times
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said his side were well aware of Real Madrid’s habit of producing their best in tough times, with a string of injuries having depleted the visitors’ defence ahead of Today’s Champions League playoff.
Real and City failed to advance automatically to the last 16 as one of the top eight sides in the Champions League table after they finished 11th and 22nd, respectively, in the new league-phase format and had to play a two-legged playoff.
The clubs will clash for a fourth consecutive year, having met in four Champions League knockout ties since 2020. In the first leg of the playoff tie at the Etihad on Tuesday, LaLiga leaders Real will be without key defenders Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and David Alaba.
Since the sides’ met last year, Real have strengthened an already formidable attack with the acquisition of Kylian Mbappe, who is supported by Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. City have endured a testing time on the pitch this season and are languishing fifth in the Premier League, 15 points adrift of leaders Liverpool, with the prospect of a record-extending fifth successive title all but dashed already.
