He expressed respect for the team, but firmly stated, “I respect them a lot, but I’m not afraid.”
Guardiola stressed the importance of preparation and flexibility, saying, “We have to be ready. We won’t know the lineup or style of play until just before the game. We need to address the areas where we were lacking in the first match. Real Madrid deserve credit, as they’re not an ordinary opponent. However, we need to focus on imposing our own style of play as much as possible.”
He also acknowledged the unpredictable nature of football, remarking, “If we played Madrid yesterday, it would be different from tomorrow. Every match is unique, we’ve both learned, and we’ll do our best. It’s tough, but this is our goal and what we aim to achieve.”
Guardiola’s comments reflect his respect for Real Madrid’s abilities while maintaining confidence in Manchester City’s preparation and strategy, acknowledging the challenges but keeping his focus on his team’s objectives.