“We don’t need a Real Madrid-style night, but a Manchester City-style night”

The Portuguese Manchester City player Bernardo Silva defended this Monday that they do not need “a night in the Real Madrid style, but in the Manchester City style” to come back and advance to the quarterfinals of the Champions League, after Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory in the first leg of the tie.

“This sport has taught us that many things can happen in a football match. And although the result in Madrid was very bad, we are going to fight until the end, knowing that it is going to be difficult. At home, many things can happen. And we are going to try to create the right atmosphere for that to happen,” said the Portuguese midfielder in advance of this Tuesday’s second leg match in the round of 16.

For Silva, “it is very important” to get ahead on the scoreboard early. “The sooner, the better. And we know that in football, and especially at home, we are capable of creating many opportunities in a period of 5, 10, 15, 20 minutes. Knowing that we also have to defend well, because we cannot concede a goal. If we concede, it’s over,” he warned.

“It’s not a Real Madrid night, I think we need to have a Manchester City-style night. We have had many nights in which many people did not believe in us, and things have gone very well. Madrid in this competition has had many memorable nights in recent years, and what we want is to create an atmosphere of belief in the stadium,” defended the Portuguese.

Silva warned that they should not “lose their minds” and be in the game. “Normally, after a big defeat you feel like everything is very dark. But we know what this team is capable of doing. The problem we lacked this week was consistency, because we know we can reach that level,” he said, after the league draw against West Ham.

“We are in a transformation. Because there are 4-5 players left who won the Champions League in 2023. Having so many changes in a football club is never easy, because it is not about talent or quality, it is about the players knowing each other better. Now, these young people need time to adapt, to play with others, to play together,” he said.

Silva defended that he does not believe “much” in luck. “I believe a lot in the reason why over the years we have not been able to be more successful in this competition. Maybe a little luck, but it is not just luck. It is the small details that you need to improve. The Champions League is a different competition. In a league, the best team wins 95% of the time. In the Champions League, the best team does not necessarily win. It is a competition about emotions, small details, mainly in the areas. And that is not luck. You need to be there. I think we have to do very well in those small details,” he expressed.

Finally, he addressed a possible change in Pep Guardiola’s approach. “If he decides to go in a different way for this match, it would not surprise us, because it is not our job to judge the coach’s decision, our job is to be ready. Obviously Erling (Haaland) is a very important player for us. And in big games we need those players. But no one is irreplaceable. Obviously, I would prefer to have Erling because when you have Erling on the field you are closer to scoring goals, that is what you need tomorrow,” he concluded.