This article contains adult content that may be inappropriate for minors. Please confirm that you are 18 years or older to continue. This article contains images or details that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. Pep Guardiola believes that Manchester City can recover from a three-goal deficit against Real Madrid and advance to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. The Spaniard is confident that his players will create enough opportunities to score at the Etihad, but the most important thing is defensive solidity, as they cannot afford to concede more goals. "We can do it. Many things can happen in a football match. First, we have to focus on winning, and then we'll see what happens. I don't have a specific plan; we will just try. I'm not too worried about whether we will create enough opportunities because I am almost certain we can do it. At home, we are always capable of doing it. The question is more about how well we will defend," he explained. "My players know me very well. I don't need to convince them of anything after 10 years. We try to win every game. I'm sure they will try to do it. Of course, for most of them, it's uncharted territory. We are not the same group we were for many years, but at the same time, it will be an incredible experience to try. It would be easy for me to say: 'Guys, in the first 20 minutes we need to score three goals.' Yes, perfect. But the reality is completely different," he explained. When asked if the decision to cancel today's training was related to the players' mental preparation for the challenge, Guardiola agreed: "It is related. Training today wouldn't make us better for the game. Nowadays, in the football model with top teams, training doesn't improve things much. The players understand what they need to do because we don't have time to train. That's why I prefer them to be at home today, and tomorrow, instead of arriving at 3 PM or 4 PM, we arrive at 2 PM, activate our legs on the pitch. I've done this two or three times this season, so it's not the first time." Training today won't make us better for the game. Nowadays, in the football model with top teams, training doesn't improve things much. Rest, he emphasized, is as important as activity. "We were in Madrid [last Wednesday], we arrived late at the hotel, still had to sleep and then return in the morning, travel here, after which we had no training, then go to London [to play against West Ham], returning yesterday at 2:30 AM. So today is for recovery; there's nothing we can do," he listed.
Real Madrid Pep Guardiola remains central to this story.
Real Madrid Pep Guardiola remains central to this story.
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