Pep Guardiola knows that it is 'impossible' to stop the Fab Four of Real Madrid in the Play-Off of the Champions League … So Man City will have to overcome them


Those who have worked with Pep Guardiola describe him as a lion inside the Manchester City costumes. Roaring, groking.

The circular enclosure certainly gives a speaker room to stalk and Guardiola players have any place to fix their gaze, but in their demanding manager.

He thrives on nights like this. The greats, even if we are only in February and we enter a play-off round of the Champions League that did not exist last season. Short and acute messages focused on a subject before the city comes out in the largest stages.

The city team has heard them in the last nine seasons. How the pain of what were annual European capitulations can help inspire. The referees do not want you to succeed. Use the apathy of your own followers towards competition as fuel.

But this meeting with the old enemy of Real Madrid is not one in which Guardiola players need to absorb messages about external forces or factors. They are doing this for themselves and there is a simplicity in these two legs in eight days: prevail and can turn on the entire campaign.

Ruben Dias, the new Vicecapitan after Kyle Walker left, Alcista spoke about the city that had the 'guns' to hurt Madrid and Guardiola seems clear in his mind about how the 2023 champions will address a team that always tagged The 'Kings of Europe' '.

Erling Haaland and Manchester City receive Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday

Erling Haaland and Manchester City receive Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday

Reperstar Real Madrid trained in Etihad on Monday before Tuesday's game

Reperstar Real Madrid trained in Etihad on Monday before Tuesday's game

“You are entering at a time when the train goes in the season and you need to catch that train,” Dias said.

However, internally, there will be doubts in the minds of those players as Guardiola starts through the room delivering his last words. The night is both the will and the desaul of the Ballon d'Or awards in Madrid, once Vinicius Junior realized that he had lost to Rodri, adds additional spices.

The return at Leyton Orient in the FA Cup on Saturday, insured only once Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne were summoned from the bank, it was only the eighth victory in 23 games for the city. They have regularly fucked against the best opposition and the scars of the 5-1 assault in Arsenal nine days ago remain visible since Guardiola plans to meet the unstoppable quartet of Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe in Madrid.

“It is impossible in 90 minutes to control these four players,” Guardiola said. 'Everyone knows. We have to reduce your participation as much as possible, knowing that (not always) it will happen and will accept it. Both teams had problems with injuries during the season.

'Madrid handled it much better than us, the upper part of the League. They have demonstrated consistency and in difficult times they bring as well as possible. We have to make two great games to pass.

Finally, the injuries are cleaning. Guardiola can actually choose a first option to return four, provided he believes that John Stones, Dias and Nathan Ake are able to play a complete game, and Nico González, the firm of £ 50 million in January of Porto, is available.

'A sequence of death', is how Dias described the city's fitness crisis. It is a Madrid also affirms, since Carlo Ancelotti reaches square plugs in defense.

The biggest concern for the city is how to keep Mbappe and co at bay when they can't close the back door. Perhaps his biggest weapon is really going in the other direction and overcoming Madrid, if possible.

Pep Guardiola admits that it will be impossible to stop the four largest attack threats in Madrid

Pep Guardiola admits that it will be impossible to stop the four largest attack threats in Madrid

Erling Haaland has not yet scored against Madrid in four attempts; That will change at some point. Omar Marmous is announced in the Etihad?

Regardless, this is the one who can leave the season. To give City more to fill its time than the FA Cup and qualify for this competition again through the Premier League, which, given the fifth place, is probably sufficient, should be a formality. Take your record with Madrid on the Age of the Guardiola to 3-2, to erase the pain of the defeat of the shooting last April in the quarterfinals.

The city head focuses on his team that reads the 'tempo' of the first leg, before heading to Bernabéu next Wednesday, and urges them not to shrink and, instead, impose.

“We played the second game because we were not good in the group,” Guardiola said. 'What happens in football, you must deserve. But our team has something special and we hope we can try it.

'We cannot forget that a decade ago we were not often here in these stages. For us it is an honor and we hope that our people can support us. They are looking forward to, against their history. It is always a pleasure.

Extending that pleasure beyond this tempting play-off between two wounded giants depends on the city and how much they really want to change this year.



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By Kevin Rogers

Kevin is a seasoned sports journalist with 15 years of experience covering major leagues, including the NFL, NBA, and MLB. His dynamic commentary and expert game analysis connect with fans across all sports, ensuring reliable and engaging coverage. Phone: +1 (212) 574-9823

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