Pep Guardiola has taken the surprise step of affording Manchester City's stars the day off before they play Real Madrid in a bid to clear their minds. ‘The way you play is as much about the mentality being strong and if you don't play good,’ Guardiola said. ‘If you are weaker then you don’t play good. We were in Madrid, travel here, day after here no training, went to London, arrived back here on Sunday at 2.30am. City went on to hammer the Germans 4-1, Phil Foden scoring a brace either side of half-time.

Source: Daily Mail March 16, 2026 12:33 UTC