• Pep Guardiola calls for ‘perfect game’ against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu
  • The Citizens will take on the reigning champions after their 3-2 defeat last week 
  • LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Does Ruben Amorim come under pressure at Manchester United this season?

By JACK GAUGHAN

Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City need to be perfect if they are to avoid a Champions League exit at Real Madrid tonight.

Last week’s dramatic 3-2 defeat in the play-off first leg has heaped pressure on City, who haven’t failed to reach the last 16 of the competition since 2013.

‘You have to make an almost perfect game,’ Guardiola said. ‘We have to play with courage, to be ourselves. We have to play to win the game. The pressure is there, it’s more than welcome.

‘If you don’t perform well with the pressure, it is what it is. It depends how we play, how we handle the big moments in these stadiums.’

The Spaniard knows there is enough pressure on his team but hopes they can channel it in a good way and avoid City’s earliest exit in the competition since going out in the group stage in 2012-13.

He said: ‘We have to make an almost-perfect game. The result was not good. We have to attack, we have to score goals.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed his side need ‘a perfect game’ to beat Real Madrid 

The Citizens will take on the reigning Champions League holders after a disappointing 3-2 defeat at the Etihad

The Citizens will take on the reigning Champions League holders after a disappointing 3-2 defeat at the Etihad 

The Spaniard has provided an injury update on several key players, including Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake

The Spaniard has provided an injury update on several key players, including Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake

‘At this level the pressure is there, but it’s more than welcome. You cannot perform well without the pressure. It’s not the first time. It depends how we play, how we handle it.’ 

Erling Haaland, who suffered a knee injury scare late in Saturday’s defeat of Newcastle, trained as normal ahead of the game.  

Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake, who were all absent at the weekend, were also involved.

‘They’ve travelled. We’ll see how they are but it’s good news they are here’, the Spaniard confirmed.

Meanwhile, City midfielder Bernardo Silva claimed he is still coming to terms with how tough this season has been. 

‘I wouldn’t have believed you if you’d told me we would be playing Real in a play-off, not the latter stages,’ said Silva. ‘We’ve put ourselves in this situation and we deserve it.’

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Pep Guardiola admits Man City need a ‘perfect game’ to overhaul Real Madrid ahead of Champions League showdown at the Bernabeu

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