In a press conference ahead of Manchester City’s crucial Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola made it clear that while he respects the Spanish giants, he does not fear them. “I respect them a lot, but I’m not afraid,” he stated firmly.
Guardiola stressed the need for preparation and adaptability, acknowledging that Real Madrid’s approach remains unpredictable until just before kickoff. “We have to be prepared. We won’t know exactly how they’ll play until ten minutes before the game. We need to improve on certain aspects from the first leg and give them credit—they are not just any opponent. But we must impose our style as much as possible.”
He also pointed out football’s unpredictability, saying, “If we had played Madrid yesterday, it would be different from tomorrow. No two games are the same. They learned, we learned. Now, we have to focus on what we need to do. It’s tough, but that’s the challenge and our dream.”
Guardiola’s remarks highlight his respect for Real Madrid’s quality while maintaining confidence in City’s preparation and strategy. He acknowledges the difficulty of the task but remains focused on achieving their goal.
