Pep Guardiola’s side won a historic Treble in 2022/23 and, after lifting the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, are again in contention for the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League this time around.
We host Real Madrid in the second leg of our Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday night after a 3-3 draw in the Spanish capital last week.
Victory in that match would see us through to the final four of Europe’s elite club competition, while we are already in the semi-final of the FA Cup and sit top of the Premier League with six matches to go.
City v Real Madrid | Match preview
With a relentless run-in to come over the next few weeks, Bernardo says the City squad are again determined to go as far as possible in each competition.
“It is inspiration and motivation because we know how well this team has done,” he said when asked about the desire to cement this team’s status as one of the best in the history of the game.
“This is my seventh season. We want to create that legacy.
“We want six Premier Leagues in seven years and four Premier Leagues in a row. We want to win two Champions League in a row.
“It’s definitely motivation knowing it is difficult because in one week we could be out of all the competitions but we are fighting and we want to be a step closer.”
This is the third successive season in which City have faced Real Madrid in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
After a cruel defeat in 2021/22, Guardiola’s side demolished the Spanish giants in 2022/23 with a brutal, brilliant 4-0 second leg victory at the Etihad Stadium.
We have now gone 30 home matches unbeaten in the Champions League, an English record run that stretches back to 2018.
With the sides level after last week’s Bernabeu thriller, Bernardo believes that the home advantage can help City on Wednesday night.
However, he was also keen to state that last season’s meeting with Real Madrid counts for nothing this time around.
“We had that feeling and we still have that feeling that we are very strong at home with our people. The season before when Madrid knocked us out at the Bernabeu, we wanted to put things right,” he stated.
“That performance was a bit of an apology to our fans in a way for what happened the season before - we owed them a chance to win the competition and we did it. This season is a different game for sure.
“They have their signings, we have ours, different form. Let’s see what happens. We are very confident because we play at home but we play the Kings of the competition - we have so much respect for Real Madrid.”
Battling on multiple fronts towards the end of the season is nothing new for Guardiola’s City.
After an almighty tussle with Madrid on Wednesday, we head to Wembley to face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final.
Following that assignment, we have six Premier League matches to attempt to complete a record fourth straight domestic success.
Speaking ahead of the Champions League tie, Bernardo has insisted that our squad can handle the gruelling schedule.
“This group has proved through the years we are capable of getting to final months fighting for all the competitions,” he said.
“It is not easy, obviously. That’s why only two teams won the Treble in English football because it’s not easy.
“But we are very happy to be in potion to fight for them. It’s not easy because our opponents are really good. We are happy to be in this position and it’s a challenge for all of us.”
City v Real Madrid app coverage
Our app will have every base of the quarter-final clash covered – all from one handy place.
Starting two hours before kick-off, minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre.
Steph Houghton, David James and Nedum Onuoha are the special guests on Matchday Live offering their expert insight on the broadcast that begins at 18:45 (UK).
They will also answer viewer questions throughout the broadcast, with audience participation actively encouraged on Matchday Live. To get in touch, send a WhatsApp to: +447537186538.
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During the game you can listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Andy Morrison while our text commentary continues.
Make sure to have push notifications turned on as well, so you can be alerted to key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and the team news.
Highlights from the match, as well as a full-match replay [available on CITY+] will also be available.
