Exclusive: Pep Guardiola bullish ahead of Real Madrid battle after Man City's 'worst game' in first leg

Pep Guardiola called Manchester City's 3-2 loss to Real Madrid their "worst game this year." The Spaniard and his City side face an uphill battle as they travel to the Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League clash with the Spanish giants. Real Madrid v Man City will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Wednesday evening.

'Never ever' - Bullish Guardiola rows back on '1%' comment ahead of Bernabeu showdown

Video credit: TNT Sports

Pep Guardiola has called Manchester City's UEFA Champions League play-off first leg defeat to Real Madrid their "worst game this year."

City conceded two late goals at Etihad Stadium to lose 3-2, leaving them with their backs to the wall as they travel to the Spanish capital for a daunting second leg on Wednesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

City once again ceded control of a game entirely after an Erling Haaland penalty 10 minutes from time put them ahead, only for Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham to snatch the win.

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"It's the fourth time in a row we played the worst game this year," Guardiola told TNT Sports.

"In the second half, they were better and when we scored the second goal, they were better. And after that, we were better, and we conceded the second and third goals.

"So we have to adjust something, and we'll see tomorrow."

Kylian Mbappe netted for Madrid in Manchester, and the City boss knows how tricky it will be to contain the Frenchman and his attacking cohort.

"They have weapons up front to [punish us]. We know that it's impossible to control all the game and the actions that we have, but at the same time we know we have to score and win games," said Guardiola.

"I said even 1% [chance of progressing] was generous. But one week in football is an eternity and the mindset is completely different. Winning against Newcastle helped us a lot.

"But with the result we have, we know exactly what we need to win the game. So this is what we'll try to do."

City bounced back from their defeat to Real with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Newcastle.

The result fired them into the top four in the league and featured an incredible hat-trick from new recruit Omar Marmoush.

It was just what they needed and will have emboldened a City squad who have struggled across a strange season.

"It was a pleasure," Guardiola continued. "Because we visualised that we can do it, we visualised the future. We played young players and visualised that maybe we can do it in the future more consistently.

"But every game is different. I know that the players that have been here for many years have proven many times that they can do it. And the new ones, it was just one game.

"I don't know if Omar can consistently do it after those three goals. I don't know if Kusa [Abdukodir Khusanov can], he played a good game. Have to see if they are able to do it for more time. But it was perfect because we won against Newcastle.

"We are still there. Fourth in the table, FA Cup, we are here. We deserve to play against the champions in this competition."

'Means we are old' - Guardiola reacts to record Ancelotti stat

Video credit: TNT Sports

It will be the 10th time that Guardiola comes across Carlo Ancelotti in the Champions League. The Italian is the most successful coach in the competition, winning five titles to Guardiola's three.

"It's always nice facing him. It's difficult and he beats me most of the time. I have a huge respect for Carlo for all he's done in his career as a football player and manager," said Guardiola.

"It's my biggest rival [Real Madrid]. Barcelona is my love and Barcelona is their biggest rival.

"It's always special for me to come to this stadium, to Madrid."

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