Manchester City will face Real Madrid for the fifth consecutive season in the Champions League, but this year's squad looks different. The team has seen significant changes following the departures of key players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, Kyle Walker, and Ilkay Gundogan. Additionally, Rodri and John Stones are out with injuries, leading manager Pep Guardiola to acknowledge the squad is in a transitional phase.

Despite the changes, the Spanish manager believes the Bernabeu is an ideal venue for his young players to demonstrate their character. "Many players are visiting the Bernabeu for the first time," Guardiola said during the pre-match press conference. "To progress in Europe, you must have these experiences. They teach you that you can compete next time. This is always a great place for a team to prove its talent and character."

Manager Pep Guardiola during Man City's training on 9/12. Photo: Man City

Man City has maintained stable form in the Premier League, winning four of their last five matches to close the gap on league leaders Arsenal to two points. In contrast, Real Madrid has struggled, securing only two wins in their last seven matches, putting significant pressure on manager Xabi Alonso.

Guardiola, who previously worked with Alonso at Bayern, expressed empathy for his counterpart's situation. "Being a manager at Barcelona or Madrid is the most challenging job," the 54-year-old manager stated. "If I had a season as bad as the previous one here, I would have been sacked."

Real Madrid also faces squad setbacks, with star forward Kylian Mbappe at risk of missing the match due to injury. Guardiola understands the immense pressure Alonso is under. "They have many injuries. I know what happens when you want to build something new. Xabi knows what he needs to do," he commented.

Man City and Real Madrid have met 16 times in total, with Man City winning five, drawing four, and losing seven. Last season, Man City lost both play-off legs against Real, falling 2-3 at home and 1-3 away.

Bernardo Silva, who has experienced both triumphs and disappointments at the Bernabeu, returns as captain. The Portuguese midfielder agrees this match serves as a crucial test for Man City after last season's challenges. "We are trying to show our best version and earn three more points to maintain our position in the top eight," he said. "Playing here is always special and a big challenge."

Manager Xabi Alonso during the pre-match press conference. Photo: Zuma Press

On the opposing side, manager Xabi Alonso affirmed that he still retains the locker room's trust despite the club's declining performance. Last weekend, president Florentino Perez held an urgent meeting with the board to discuss Alonso's future, as several key players have shown a dip in form. When asked if he still had the support of his players, Alonso simply replied, "Yes."

Spanish media reports have suggested Zinedine Zidane and youth team manager Alvaro Arbeloa are being considered as potential replacements. However, Alonso remains calm amidst the dismissal rumors. "A Real Madrid manager must be ready to face all kinds of pressure. After a defeat, I get angry, but now we are focused on the Champions League. In football, things change very quickly," he explained.

The Spanish manager also admitted that the adaptation process at Real Madrid has not been easy. He shared, "This is the biggest job in the world. You have to learn, you have to understand the locker room. There are good days and not-so-good days. The important thing is to adapt."

By Hong Duy (via ESPN)