Contains Real Madrid’s star attack ‘impossible’ for the whole tie, says Guardiola | Manchester City

Pep Guardiola has admitted to Real Madrid’s front four of Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo will be impossible for Manchester City to control throughout their Champions League playing games with the holders.

Byhost Real Tuesday night in the opening leg before the return game at Santiago Bernabéu next Wednesday. While Rodrygo, Bellingham and Vinícius all started the 2-0 last win against Borussia Dortmund last year, with the latter two that combined to Real’s second goal, Mbappé ended in the summer from Paris Saint-Germain and has scored 22 goals and delivered three Assists in all competitions so far this season.

“It is impossible for 90 minutes, 180 minutes or 200 minutes – depending on extra time – to control these four players. They are unusual, ”Guardiola said. “How they combine, their run, the ability of a -od -a -how they hold the ball. So we need to reduce their commitment as much as possible. Knowing that (they will be dangerous at some point) will happen, accept it.

“They have the courage to play. When real decides to play long balls, they are obviously good (too). But after, (the four) has the ability – to always be present with the ball, it doesn’t matter if the opponents are close. They have the ability to keep it and make extra touch and extra passport. And when that happens, of course, they can run, they can combine the shortest passports with moments at the back.

“We know it will happen. But at the same time, we will try to impose our games and be smart – especially in the first stage – with the way you have to play. It is important to read the pace – we have to play to get a good result for returning at Bernabéu. “

Guardiola continued to deny that there is bad blood between the city and Real Madrid after the Spanish club Boikotted the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris last year in protest over Rodri, who won the award over Vinícius. “Definitely not,” the city manager insisted. “I was fond of Rodri. Vinícius also had an extraordinary year. It’s like before when (Lionel) Messi and Cristiano (Ronaldo) fought for it. The subject is over. “

On the question of Real’s decision showed a lack of class, Rúben Dias repeated Guardiola’s attitude. “Being very honest I didn’t use a second to think if it was disrespectful or not,” the defender said. “I was there, I celebrated with him, I was very fond of him. I didn’t spend my time thinking about it. “

Despite the city’s uneven season, Dias thinks they could still win the Champions League. “I am a firm belief that in the most difficult scenario you can achieve something beautiful. (But) It is one of the toughest opponents in the Champions League. But we have lots of guns in the dressing room and we just have to use them the right way. “

City has faced Real Madrid four times in the last five years on the knockout stage and progressed in August 2020 to the quarterfinals and in May 2023 to the final.

Sides quarter -final meeting last year, City was removed via a penalty.

Ederson, Nathan Aké and the new signing Nico González trained everyone for City Monday’s Day after being doubted about harm.