Bernardo Silva took part in the pre-match press conference. The Portuguese midfielder highlighted the importance of Kevin De Bruyne. KDB was absent due to illness in the first leg at the Bernabeu, but is ready to play. “When he's here, everything is different. He's one of the best players of our generation. It's a big boost that he's back.”
Pep Guardiola: “Real Madrid are not just any opponent”
A year ago, Pep Guardiola's team knocked the Spaniards out of the final with a resounding 4-0 in the semi-final second leg. On Wednesday evening, the Catalan coach of the Cityzens will face his compatriots again in the quarter-finals this time.
“The boss is me”: Pep Guardiola explains the replacement of Kevin De Bruyne against Luton
“I have a lot of respect for Real Madrid, but I don't fear them,” he told reporters the day before the match. “We will have to be ready. We will have to improve some things that were not good in the first match. You have to give them credit. Real Madrid are not just any opponent. It is up to us to impose our way of playing as much as possible.”
Manchester City achieved the treble last season and can repeat the feat this season. According to Guardiola, it is important for his players to “stay hungry” to achieve success. “You have to feel the pressure, which is necessary to win. You have to be hungry, have a good mentality and be ready to fight. If we can build momentum, we can do it.”
