Manchester City aim to return to the Champions League against Real Madrid, with manager Josep Guardiola taking a fresh approach to preparing his team
Josep Guardiola cancels training ahead of rematch with Real Madrid (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester City will not train the day before their Champions League match against Real Madrid, Josep Guardiola has confirmed. The Premier League side welcome the Spanish giants to the Etihad Stadium this week for the second leg of their last-16 clash.
City were already 3-0 down heading into that game, with Federico Valverde’s hat-trick giving Real a commanding lead at the Bernabéu. Despite Guardiola’s side needing a near-perfect performance to get back on par, the Spanish manager gave his players time off due to a busy schedule.
He will not participate in practice the day before the match and will focus on his recovery. Guardiola’s move is unusual given the importance of the match, but not unprecedented. The former Barcelona manager also gave his team a break earlier this season ahead of the league stage showdown with Borussia Dortmund.
At the time, he said: “I’m going to train tomorrow (Monday) morning. I’ve done it a few times, maybe not a lot, but a few times.”
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“Bournemouth were very demanding so I would like them to stay at home and practice tomorrow morning. Nobody is going to change the schedule because there are so many games and that is the way it is.”
And while Guardiola has given his players time off, he has already issued a strong warning to his team. He suggested that star players whose team doesn’t believe they can return would be better off not playing.
“If they don’t believe, that’s a problem. They’re adults. They’re paid well. They’re paid well,” Guardiola said after the weekend’s draw with West Ham United.
City need a big upset to save their Champions League hopes (Image: Getty Images)
“If they don’t believe in it in the Champions League, go home, stay at home. We have to try. What do we have to lose?”
“Madrid have never gone back in history? I don’t know how many times, but 50 games in the Champions League, never coming back from 3-0 down? Of course it’s a tough result. But out of respect for the people, respect for the fans and for our job, we have to strive, right?”
After facing Real, City will once again look to their fading hopes of winning the Premier League. Guardiola’s side are currently nine points behind Arsenal after drawing 1-1 with West Ham at the weekend. The Gunners defeated Everton with two late goals from Victor Goqueres and Max Dauman.
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