Pep Guardiola has urged his Manchester City team to have the courage to stick to their own identity when they meet Real Madrid in their Champions League last-16 first leg tie in the Estadio Bernabeu on Wednesday evening. It should also be pointed out that familiarity appears to breed contempt among the fans: the match is not even a sell-out. Erling Haaland in training before Manchester City flew to Spain for the crucial game‘The Newcastle game defined who we are. I want to deserve to be in the next round and the only thing is to be who you are. It sounded very much like the talk he may deliver to his side before they walk out in the Bernabeu’s cauldron.

Source: Daily Mail March 10, 2026 22:25 UTC