“We’ll see on Tuesday” – Pep Guardiola reveals Manchester City plan for Champions League second leg vs Real Madrid after 3-0 defeat

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted his team will not give up on their UEFA Champions League dream despite suffering a painful defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of their Round of 16 clash.

City were beaten 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in midweek, leaving Guardiola’s side with a huge challenge ahead when the two teams meet again in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium next week. The damage was done early in the match, as Federico Valverde produced a stunning first-half hat-trick that shocked the Premier League champions and gave the Spanish giants a commanding advantage.

Despite the heavy defeat, Guardiola has made it clear that his team still believes there is a chance to turn the tie around. Speaking ahead of City’s Premier League clash with West Ham United, the Spanish coach explained that his players must remain focused and approach the return leg with courage.

City’s defeat in Madrid sparked criticism from some observers, who questioned Guardiola’s team selection. The manager made several bold decisions for the match, including pairing Bernardo Silva with Rodri in midfield and deploying young player Nico O’Reilly at left-back, despite the fact that he is more comfortable playing in midfield.

Those choices did not work out on the night, and many fans were quick to point the finger at the manager. But Guardiola has defended his decisions and made it clear he always selects what he believes is the best team for the situation.

“With team selections, I always think what is best for the team,” Guardiola explained during his press conference. “When we win, the decisions look good. When we lose, they look bad. That is part of football.”

The defeat has placed City in a difficult position. Overturning a three-goal deficit against a team as experienced as Real Madrid in the Champions League is a rare achievement. The Spanish club has built a reputation for controlling big European nights, and they will travel to Manchester full of confidence.

However, Guardiola is not ready to surrender the tie.

“We are used to these situations,” the City boss said. “We have been here many times before. Now we focus on the next game, and then we will see what happens on Tuesday.”

His words reflect a key part of City’s mentality under his leadership. Since Guardiola arrived at the club in 2016, City have dominated English football and developed a reputation for resilience in difficult moments. During that time, they have won multiple league titles and regularly reached the later stages of the Champions League.

This season, City are again fighting on several fronts. They remain firmly involved in the Premier League title race, although they are currently chasing leaders Arsenal, who hold a seven-point advantage at the top of the table.

Guardiola knows that the coming weeks could define the entire season. City must balance their domestic ambitions with their desire to stay alive in Europe, which means every match carries enormous importance.

“Every game now has no second chances,” Guardiola admitted. “That is the reality at this stage of the season.”

Even though the result in Madrid was disappointing, Guardiola pointed out that there were positive moments in the performance. According to the manager, City started the game strongly and looked dangerous before Real Madrid took control.

“The first 19 or 20 minutes were exceptional,” he said. “It was one of the best periods we have played at the Bernabéu. We came there to make a threat, and we were threatening.”

But football matches can quickly change, especially at the highest level. Once Real Madrid scored their first goal, the momentum shifted, and City struggled to regain their rhythm. Valverde’s clinical finishing punished every defensive mistake, and the English champions suddenly found themselves chasing the game.

Guardiola admitted that emotions played a big role in what happened next.

“After the first goal, the emotions come,” he explained. “We did many good things in the game, but of course there were areas where we could be better.”

Looking ahead to the second leg, Guardiola is expected to make adjustments to his lineup and tactical approach. City will likely play with greater attacking urgency, knowing that they must score early to give themselves a realistic chance of progressing.

History offers a small source of hope. Over the past decade, City have produced several memorable European comebacks at the Etihad Stadium. The team’s attacking quality, combined with the energy of the home crowd, can create an intimidating atmosphere for visiting opponents.

But the challenge remains enormous. Real Madrid’s experience in the Champions League knockout stages makes them one of the most difficult teams to eliminate. The Spanish club has repeatedly shown an ability to survive pressure and punish opponents when it matters most.

Guardiola is fully aware of that history. During his managerial career, he has suffered painful exits from the competition, often in dramatic circumstances. Yet he believes those experiences help him prepare his players for moments like this.

“I have lost many times in the Champions League knockout stages,” he said. “Many, many times. I have been criticised a lot for decisions and what happened. It is not the first time.”

Still, the City boss remains determined to fight until the very end.

“At the same time, I am still here,” Guardiola said. “And we will keep going until the last day.”

For Manchester City, the equation is simple. If they want to keep their European dream alive, they must produce one of their greatest performances under Guardiola when Real Madrid visit the Etihad next week.

Whether they can achieve that comeback remains to be seen. But if Guardiola’s message is anything to go by, City will step onto the pitch believing that the story of this tie is not finished yet.