They may be 3-0 down but Manchester City are still confident of Champions League progression
Jeremy Doku says Manchester City remain confident of finding a way past Real Madrid in the Champions League and will ”trust their quality” in next week’s second leg.
City were beaten 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu last night, Federico Valverde’s stunning first-half hat-trick proving their undoing as Pep Guardiola’s team selection and tactics were made to look unwise.
It leaves the 2023 winners on the brink of a round-of-16 exit but Belgium winger Doku retains hope and believes Gianluigi Donnarumma’s penalty save from Vinicius Jr could yet prove a pivotal moment.
“I feel like from 3-0 to 4-0 is a completely different score. I feel like that helped us massively. We’re still confident, we trust our quality,” said Doku, who was part of an attacking line-up chosen by Guardiola.
“We know that playing at the Etihad it is a different game. We will need our fans to help us. If they can score three goals why can’t we?
“It would be crazy if I said there was no chance. Everything is possible in football so we still believe. If we score quickly it’s a different game with the supporters and everything, you put them under pressure.”
Doku blames lack of concentration for City’s round-of-16 defeat
Doku, who was one of City’s best performers on a disappointing night, felt the scoreline didn’t reflect the game but praised Madrid for their ruthlessness in front of goal.
He added: “It was not a bad game from us. Obviously they scored three goals but we had some chances.
“We were playing well but obviously we need to be better sometimes and concentrate more with the counter-attacks.
“In these types of games you need to score from the chances that we have. Otherwise, when they have a chance they score and that’s what happened.
“They were just waiting for us to make mistakes. They are a good transition team and they scored three goals so fair play to them.”
The tie is not over, says Madrid defender
Madrid’s former Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold said no-one at Los Blancos feels the tie is won yet.
He told UEFA.com: “It’s only half-time. If you are celebrating at half-time and thinking the game is done, your mindset is completely wrong. The whole club knows this isn’t finished. We have seen crazy games between these two clubs before, so we can’t rule out anything. We don’t take anything for granted and will go to the Etihad and try to win there as well.”
There is one positive omen for City. They beat Madrid 4-0 in the second leg of their semi-final in Manchester in 2023.
When is the second leg of Real Madrid v Manchester City?
Fixture: Manchester City vs Real Madrid (Champions League, round of 16, 2nd Leg)
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 (8pm)
Aggregate Score: 0-3
Venue: Etihad Stadium
