March 17, 2026 | 09:24 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Manager Pep Guardiola has called on Manchester City to deliver a flawless performance when they host Real Madrid in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. City faces a difficult situation after losing the first leg 0-3 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
To advance to the quarterfinals, they need to win by at least four goals. This is a nearly impossible task and rarely occurs in the Champions League knockout stages.
Guardiola emphasized that his team must focus on their performance on the pitch, not just chasing the aggregate score. "This is a football match and anything can happen. This sport has taught us that anything is possible," said the Spanish coach, as quoted by Antara.
He asked Erling Haaland and his teammates to prioritize discipline, namely winning the match first, then considering the possibility of overturning the aggregate score. Meanwhile, Guardiola also acknowledged that most of the current City squad lacks experience in the highest level of European competition.
However, he sees this situation as an opportunity and a major learning experience for his players. "We're here, and at the Etihad we always try to build momentum with the support of the fans. We have to play good football with the talented players we have, while also defending solidly," said Guardiola.
Playing at home gives City added hope. The support of the Etihad crowd is believed to be a crucial factor in pressuring Madrid from the start. However, the challenge facing the Citizens remains very tough. In addition to having to be aggressive and efficient up front, they are also required to avoid mistakes at the back.
Vigilance at the back is crucial given Madrid's counter-attacking prowess. With immense pressure and the demand for a near-perfect performance, this match has the potential to be one of the biggest tests for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.
Real Madrid Side
Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham are included in the Real Madrid squad that will travel to Manchester City for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. However, neither is guaranteed to play.
As reported by Antara, Mbappé is still recovering from a left knee problem he has been experiencing since early December. The French striker hasn't featured since February 21. Meanwhile, Bellingham has also been sidelined for a significant period due to a hamstring injury he has been suffering since February 1.
Although they have returned to the squad, the decision on whether they will play depends on their current condition. Champions League regulations allow each team to name up to 12 substitutes, so the opportunity to play remains open, especially for Mbappé if he shows positive progress in the final training session.
Madrid comes to Manchester with a strong start after a 3-0 aggregate victory in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. The victory was sealed by Federico Valverde's impressive hat-trick in front of his home crowd.
Before being sidelined, Mbappé was actually still playing while not fully fit and still prolific in scoring goals. This season, he has scored 38 goals in 33 matches across all competitions, demonstrating his central role in Madrid's attack.
Meanwhile, Bellingham underwent further examinations in London with the club's medical team to monitor his hamstring condition. The England midfielder suffered the injury during Madrid's 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano. Throughout the season, he has recorded six goals and four assists in 28 matches.
In addition to these two names, Real Madrid also brought defenders David Alaba and Alvaro Carreras, who previously missed the first leg. However, Ferland Mendy and Raul Asencio did not travel to Manchester.
Meanwhile, Dani Ceballos remains sidelined with a calf injury since February. Brazilian players Eder Militão and Rodrygo are also unavailable as they are still recovering from long-term injuries.
With a comfortable aggregate lead, Madrid is in a favorable position. However, the return of Mbappe and Bellingham, while uncertain for their appearances, remains a significant morale boost ahead of the crucial clash at Manchester City's home ground.
Read: Champions League Results: Real Madrid Beat Man City 3-0
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