Guardiola acknowledges ‘lying’ about Man City’s slim hope versus Real

Pep Guardiola admitted on Tuesday that his prediction that Manchester City had a “one percent” chance of defeating Champions League holders Real Madrid in their second leg playoff match was a mind-game.

His club is behind after Real Madrid defeated them 3-2 at the Etihad last week due to a late collapse.

Real Madrid coach Carlos Ancelotti told reporters on the day of the match that Guardiola didn’t even trust his earlier pessimistic prediction, and that he would discuss it with him before their teams played.

“I misrepresented the 1% chance. “I lied for the first time,” Guardiola said with a smile during his press conference.

“After the 2-3, no one donated anything to help us. Although it’s not the ideal outcome, we can succeed. I won’t need to hear anything from Carlo prior to the game.

Guardiola was at least encouraged by the fact that top scorer Erling Haaland was present at training on Tuesday after leaving Saturday’s 4-0 thumping of Newcastle due to what appeared to be a knee injury, as few people predicted the 2023 champions to shock 15-time Champions League winners Real for a last-16 berth.

After missing the victory over Newcastle, Jack Grealish, Nathan Ake, and Ruben Dias also trained.

“They traveled,” Guardiola said, keeping his cards close to the vest over whether any or all of them will play. We’ll find out tomorrow, but at least they’re here.”

“NEVER EASY”

Guardiola claims to have “incredibly good memories in the stadium, sometimes good and at times not good,” proving that he is no stranger to the crucible of Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium.

The words “never have been easy,” he continued.

After a dismal couple of months, the Spaniard was asked what it would take for his club, currently ranked fourth in the Premier League, to defeat Real Madrid in their stadium.

“Have to play with courage, have to be yourself,” he stated. “You have to make an almost perfect game.”

In November, City midfielder Bernardo Silva claimed that he and his teammates had been in “a dark place” following their 4-1 thumping at the hands of Sporting of Lisbon earlier in the league stage of the competition. But according to the 30-year-old, things were getting better.

“When a team is so successful as ours was in the last seven to eight seasons, you lose a few games, you’re not used to it, you have a bad few months, and we don’t accept it,” he stated.

“I do believe that the team is currently in a better position. Results are still not flawless. However, I do believe that we are not in the same dark place, particularly in my own experience.”