Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, stated that his side only had a one percent chance of making it to the Champions League last 16 against Real Madrid on Wednesday. However, the English champions’ new recruits could provide a lifeline.
City blew a late 2-1 lead in the first leg of the play-off tie last week at home to lose 3-2 to the holders.
This season’s slump was just one more example of how Guardiola’s aging squad struggled to maintain the pace, especially when the intensity is high on Champions League nights.
As a consequence, City broke with their usual transfer policy to spend big in January, bringing in Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez for fees totalling £170 million ($214 million).
However, none of them started the first leg against Madrid. Due to Gonzalez and Khusanov being unreserved substitutes and Reis not being listed in City’s European squad, Marmoush was the only player to even feature for the final few minutes off the bench.
After Marmoush, Gonzalez, and Khusanov all contributed to City’s most notable performance of the season on Saturday when Newcastle were beaten 4-1 at the Etihad, Guardiola may now regret making that choice.
Marmoush’s hat-trick in the first half earned him acclaim, giving City another potent scoring threat in addition to Erling Haaland.
Khusanov made a nightmare Premier League debut against Chelsea last month, winning the match with a goal inside three minutes and facing possible dismissal shortly after.
This time the Uzbek showed why City paid Lens a reported 40 million euros (£33 million, $42 million) for his services.
The 20-year-old’s pace helped identify Alexander Isak’s threat to Newcastle and could provide the visitors with a solution to the Santiago Bernabeu’s threat of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo.
Guardiola, however, paid particular tribute to Gonzalez’ impact, which gave the City midfield the stability they needed after Rodri suffered a serious knee injury in September.
The 23-year-old has already been hailed as a “mini Rodri” by his manager, who claims to know the Barcelona graduate from his first year of school.
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Gonzalez a game changer ,
With Gonzalez on the field, the team’s balance is already much better, according to former City defender Micah Richards.
“City has players who can hurt Real, but he brings some stability with them, which they will need if they are going to manage the game in Madrid.”
Do they have a better chance of defeating Real with him in the first eleven? Without a doubt. “
City have frequently found the might of Madrid too difficult a nut to crack in the Champions League, even at their best during Guardiola’s golden years as manager in Manchester.
The teams have met for the fourth time in a row, and City’s only defeat came in 2023 when they won the competition.
Three years prior, they had a two-goal lead going into the Paris final, but Rodrygo’s quickfire double resulted in extra-time and Madrid winning their 14th European crown.
After City dominated the quarter-finals with two score draws, penalties were the ones that allowed the Spanish giants to win.
Guardiola acknowledged that it was unlikely for his team to return to their best when they needed it the most.
” This season the reality is we have been miles, miles away. If you tell me that we would perform like today (against Newcastle) and finish 22nd in the Champions League (table), of course not. We would finish higher, “said the former Barcelona boss.
” The results have been poor this season. I won’t alter my opinion if I only watch one game.
We have one percent, but as much as we have a chance, we will try,” said the statement before the game. That’s for sure”.
However, a timely injection of fresh blood does support Madrid’s potential miracle.
Source: Channels TV
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