Guardiola’s surprising decision the day before Man City’s crunch Real Madrid clash
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are gearing up for a UCL second leg in which they must overcome a three-goal deficit.
As Manchester City prepare to host Real Madrid tomorrow, in a crunch Champions League clash at the Etihad Stadium… Pep Guardiola has given his squad the day off!
No practice session today
City were initially scheduled to train at 3:00 p.m. UK time (11:00 a.m. ET) today, but AS has confirmed that the players will instead rest up ahead of the second leg of their round-of-16 tie with Los Blancos.
While it’s not the first time Guardiola has canceled a training session on the eve of a European game - earlier this season, City had the day off before a league-phase clash with Borussia Dortmund - the move comes as a greater surprise this time, given the huge deficit City face.
Last Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat at the Bernabéu - where Fede Valverde scored a stunning hat-trick for Madrid - has left City with one foot already out of the Champions League.
“If they don’t believe, that’s their problem”
Speaking after his team’s Premier League draw with West Ham on Saturday, Guardiola spoke of his optimism that City can pull off a comeback against Madrid. Indeed, he warned his players to “stay home” if they don’t have faith in their side’s chances of reaching the quarterfinals.
“If they don’t believe, that’s their problem,” Guardiola said. “They’re adults; they have good salaries […]. If they don’t believe in the Champions League, go home, stay home. We have to try. What do we have to lose?”
Manchester City vs Real Madrid: when, how to watch
In the second leg of the Champions League last 16, City host Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, Mar. 17, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 p.m. local time. In the U.S., that translates into a 4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT start.
Viewers in the States can watch the game on Paramount+ and DAZN.
Video - a look back at Real Madrid’s UCL hat-tricks:
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