Manchester City face an almost impossible task in the Champions League this week, but Pep Guardiola has no time for any players who have already given up.
Tuesday will see Manchester City finally return to the Etihad Stadium after three successive away matches.
Man City’s situation in the Champions League is highly unfavourable, with Real Madrid leading their last 16 tie 3-0 on aggregate.
However, there is still a chance for City with 90 minutes still to play and Pep Guardiola is taking no nonsense from any player who chooses not to believe a comeback is possible.
Pep Guardiola tells doubtful Man City players to go home
If Man City do not believe they have a chance against Real Madrid, there is no point even turning up to the Etihad Stadium.
This is essentially what Guardiola has told his team and he has called on them to try, despite the fact that progression to the quarter-finals is very unlikely.
Guardiola told Beanyman Sports: “If they [players] don’t believe [we can comeback against Real Madrid], it’s their problem. They are adults. They have good salary. Mum and dad well educated.
“If they don’t believe in that in the Champions League, go home, stay home. We have to try. What do we have to lose?
“In this room someone bet on us we’re going to come back? No one. No way. No one in history has ever come back from 3-0 against Real Madrid in the Champions League knock-out stages. Never, ever.”
Man City believe a comeback is possible
Following last week’s first leg, Bernardo Silva claimed Man City still had a chance and since then, Matheus Nunes has said anything is possible.
Gianluigi Donnarumma also told Joe Hart immediately after the match in Madrid that the tie was not over, so this is not a team who have given up.
Guardiola’s players have the belief and now they need to match that with their performances. It is all well and good holding onto hope, but Man City have to deliver on the pitch too.
