Pep Guardiola acknowledges that although both teams are at similar level despite City\u2019s 5-1 aggregate win last year, nevertheless he wants Manchester City to \u201churt and punish\u201d Real Madrid in Tuesday\u2019s Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Santiago Bernab\u00e9u.<\/p>\n
Apparently the hosts have been asking Uefa\u2019s permission to close the stadium roof to ensure as vocal an atmosphere as possible.<\/p>\n
City hammered Real out of last year\u2019s semi-finals 5-1 on aggregate, which included a 4-0 slamdunk of the Madridistas in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola asserted on Tuesday night he wants the holders to take the initiative.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot come here just to control the game, we have to come here to try to hurt them, to punish them, to let them know we are here to score the goals,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are talking about Real Madrid and their ability to control many aspects of the game. We have to impose our game with who we are.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey will be able to press high, be so aggressive. If you can do a good progress [passing move], they will drop. But everybody knows the strengths from transitions they have with Rodrygo, [Jude] Bellingham, [Federico] Valverde, Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior.\u201d<\/p>\n
Guardiola is confident City can retain the trophy, saying: \u201cWe have a sense that we did it [last term] and if we did it once we can do it again. Being again [at this stage] after what happened last season here in the quarter-final after making an incredible group stage, winning all the games, and being here is really good for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, the Spaniard does not see a repeat of last season\u2019s easy victory.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s difficult because beating Real Madrid two times in the same way is almost impossible. Beating them once in this competition is difficult, imagine two in a row. They learn, they have pride, we have to try to be smart with the game we play tomorrow and see what happens in the second leg,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The City manager then touched on Jude Bellingham, who has scored 20 goals in his first season at Rea, four of which came in six group games, along with six assists.<\/p>\n
Guardiola said: \u201cHe played when he was 17 with Dortmund [against us] and then I said: \u2018It\u2019s not just his skills but the difference is what he has in his brain and mind\u2019. And he came to this club [Real] with exceptional players and a manager like Carlo.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s had an incredible season in terms of goals, assists, his presence in the box. Not just with Madrid but with the England national team he has been brilliant. At just 20 he has a long career ahead of him.\u201d<\/p>\n
This impending outing will see City without Kyle Walker and Nathan Ak\u00e9 due to their respective thigh and calf injuries. Rodri, who scored the winner for City in last season\u2019s final, believes they will be calm.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I ask something it\u2019s that they play with serenity and composure, that we give the best of ourselves. It gives you more, composure, serenity [winning] the competition.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for their request to Uefa to close the roof at the 85,000-capacity Bernab\u00e9u, Real will learn on Tuesday morning if their wish will be granted.<\/p>\n
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