Pep Guardiola says Manchester City’s hectic schedule was behind his decision to give his players the day off, just 24 hours before they face Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Guardiola broke with convention by granting the City squad additional rest before they attempt to recover from a three-goal deficit at the Etihad in their round-of-16 tie tomorrow night.
The Madrid game is their third in six days with the doubleheader against the 15-time European champions coming either side of a Premier League trip to West Ham on Saturday night.
Guardiola said: “In Madrid, we arrived late [back] in the hotel, sleep, come back [to Manchester] in the morning, travelling here, day after no training, go to London, arrived [back] yesterday at 2:30am. So today you cannot do anything.”
My players don’t need me to give them belief – Manchester City boss Guardiola
The City squad will instead train tomorrow ahead of the game with Guardiola insisting they have confidence that they can perform a remarkable comeback.
“After 10 years you have to convince some of my players about their beliefs?” he added. “They know me quite well. Every single game we try. This will be no exception.
“I am pretty sure they will try it. Of course most of them are new to experiencing such situations. We are not the same group we had for many years but, at the same time, it is an incredible experience and an incredible opportunity to try it.
“It’s a football game, many things can happen. You have to focus and first try to win the game then after that we will see what happens during the game. I don’t have a specific plan. Just try it. We are able to do it.”
Manchester City boss Guardiola wary of Madrid threat on the counter
It won’t be all-out attack from City, though, with Guardiola wary of a balanced approach against a team that could have Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham back on the bench.
“I’m not much concerned about the chances we’re going to create, I’m pretty sure we’re able to do it at home,” he said. “It’s more how well we’re going to defend.
“The task is massive, to score more than three goals against Real Madrid, it is not easy. The result in the first leg is not the perfect one but at the same time we are here, it is a football game, everything can happen.
“We have to create as much momentum as possible and do a good game for the talented players we have and defend well.”
When is the second leg between Manchester City and Real Madrid?
The game takes place at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow night. It kicks-off at 8pm UK time.
