"It has to be a perfect game in many senses and so we try and try. It's about the players, getting into perfect positions. We played with four or five strikers in the first leg and didn't score a goal. Sometimes you play with two false 9s and score five goals. The idea is there we have to try it."
"We made three goals in 14 minutes. In other comebacks we did incredible things, but we conceded or goal difference was decisive, or we were out for decisions from referees. It has to be a perfect game in many departments to make these kind of things."
"The task is massive. To score more than three goals against Madrid is not easy but we are here, it is a football game, everything can happen and we have to create as much momentum as possible with our people and do a good game and defend well."
Manchester City faces an enormous challenge attempting to overturn Real Madrid's 3-0 first-leg advantage in their Champions League last-16 second leg. Pep Guardiola acknowledges the difficulty, emphasizing that a perfect performance across multiple departments is required. He references City's remarkable 3-2 comeback against Aston Villa in 2022-23 when they scored three goals in 14 minutes after trailing 2-0. Only three teams have previously overturned three-goal Champions League knockout deficits: Deportivo La Coruna, Roma, and Liverpool. Guardiola stresses the importance of creating momentum, maintaining defensive discipline, and generating numerous chances despite the massive task ahead.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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