Manchester City are determined to do something special starting against Real Madrid | OneFootball

Despite Manchester City not being at their best this season they do still have the opportunity to achieve something special this season. They remain in the hunt for the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League. Pep Guardiola’s side take on Real Madrid tomorrow night at the Etihad. Although they face a difficult test against Carlo Ancelotti’s side over two legs it is a challenge they have overcome before. Based on what Pep Guardiola and Ruben Dias had to say ahead of the match, Manchester City are determined to achieve something special this season.

Speaking during his pre-game press conference ahead of City’s clash with Real Madrid Pep Guardiola urged his team to show they have something special. He told the media: “We are where we are, and I know perfectly, but the team has something special, and hopefully tomorrow we can prove it. I will not deny how I trust with the players who gave us that incredible decade, winning a lot of things and playing a high standard, I know what we are capable of.”

Ruben Dias echoed the sentiments of his manager. He told the media that although this season has been difficult the opportunity to achieve something beautiful is still alive. Dias had this to say during his pre-game press conference: “Since I have been here, this is maybe the most difficult season so far, but I am a firm believer that in the most difficult scenario, you can still achieve something beautiful. We know it will be difficult to get there but we have to believe in what we have in the dressing room. With the right belief, we are able to do anything.”

If the Manchester City players have belief, they can achieve anything, starting against Real Madrid.

At times this season, it has seemed that the Manchester City players have lost confidence. It has seemed that when a game goes against them, they have forgotten what made them the all-conquering side that they have been over such a sustained period. That has been on display throughout their UEFA Champions League campaign. The collapses against Feyenoord, Sporting CP and PSG speak to this. But despite these setbacks and their defeat to Juventus, they did progress to the knockout phase of the Champions League. Now they must step up and perform against Real Madrid. If they do it may be the tie Pep Guardiola’s side needs to kickstart their season.

But the Manchester City players must believe that they can achieve something special. Pep Guardiola knows what they’re capable of. Ruben Dias also spoke of this earlier today. If the Manchester City players believe they can achieve something it would be a brave man or woman to bet against them. But it’s on them to have that belief. We will know tomorrow night at the Etihad if they do.