“We Want to Hurt Real Madrid”- Pep Guardiola Reveals Manchester City’s Aggressive Plan for Carlo Ancelotti

In just a few hours, the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals will take place. Among the most anticipated fixtures is Real Madrid hosting Manchester City tomorrow at Santiago Bernabeu. While both teams would be looking to get the result in their favor, Pep Guardiola has declared his intention to do more than simply win as he looks to ‘punish‘ Carlo Ancelotti and Co. 

Speaking in the pre-match press conference and as complied by the Athletic correspondent, Sam Lee, the manager said, “We cannot come here just to control the game, we have to hurt Real Madrid, to punish them, to try to score goals.” It seems Guardiola is preparing his side for more than just keeping possession against Los Blancos tomorrow. City will aim to score goals, a tactic that will greatly benefit the English side. 

With the Sky Blues playing their away fixture, winning the game with a significant goal difference will bolster their advantage for the return leg at the Etihad Stadium. However, it would be interesting to see if they would be able to dominate the home side in front of thousands of Madridstas, who would be fervently chanting for their side. Additionally, previous results that City has produced at Bernabeu have been contrary to what Guardiola wishes to do tomorrow. 

In the 2022 campaign, while City dominated the home fixture with a 4-3 win, they lost the away fixture 3-1, with Madrid advancing to the finals. Likewise, the next year saw them being held by the La Liga side in Bernabeu 1-1 but they did win the return leg 4-0 to later lift the trophy. However, they did clinch a 1-2 victory against Ancelotti’s side in Spain during the 2020 campaign. While Guardiola would be eager to assert dominance tomorrow, he faces a major setback.

Pep Guardiola suffers huge defensive blow ahead of Manchester City vs Real Madrid 

As per the latest injury reports, Pep Guardiola won’t be able to deploy Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake against Real Madrid tomorrow. Both defenders haven’t traveled with the squad and will be nursing their injuries as they were deemed unfit for the crucial face-off. Notably, doubts remained in the air regarding the availability of center-back Josko Gvardiol. So, is he available now? 

Luckily, the Croatian defender, who earlier sustained a knock in his ankle, got the green light to catch the flight to the Spanish capital at the eleventh hour. The rest of the star players are fit and fine to face the La Liga giants in tomorrow’s match. Either way, it would be interesting to see how Guardiola manages the absence of Walker and Ake, considering the optimism he exhibited to dominate against Real Madrid. 

READ MORE: Real Madrid Vs Manchester City Preview- Expected Lineups, Injuries, Predictions, Head-to-Head, Kick-Off Time, Live Streaming & How To Watch UEFA Champions League On TV