Second leg in Manchester like final, says Guardiola

Manchester City and Real Madrid left it all to play for next week, when they meet in Manchester after a breathtaking first game at the Bernabeu saw neither team emerge victorious.

Reflecting on the result City’s head-coach Pep Guardiola stated that the encounter next week will be nothing short of a final for his team and if they want to achieve victory they have to be at the very top of their game.

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Guardiola also commented the rather unimpressive display from his star player Erling Haaland, saying that Real’s defense was exceptional closing out the spaces early and making it difficult for the Norwegian to break through.

The Citizens will be looking to repeat the feat of last year’s first leg 1/2 final, which saw them defeat the 14-time Champions League holder in an emphatic fashion 4-3. The game is on May 17.