Bernardo Silva sends warning as Man City prepare for Real Madrid tie – ‘No matter what happens…’ | OneFootball

Bernardo Silva, one of Manchester City’s key figures, has reflected on his team’s struggles this season and their past encounters with Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.

The Portuguese midfielder acknowledged that City’s current situation is far from ideal and admitted that facing elimination at this stage of the competition would be a significant setback.

At the start of the season, City had high expectations of making another deep run in the Champions League.

However, their performances have not been as consistent as in previous years, leaving them in a tough position ahead of the decisive match against Real Madrid.

Despite this, Bernardo remains optimistic that his team can turn things around. He emphasised the importance of learning from past mistakes and using those experiences to approach the game with confidence.

Reflecting on last season’s defeat

Bernardo Silva understands the difficulty of facing Real Madrid. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Last season, City suffered heartbreak against Carlo Ancelotti’s side, losing in a dramatic penalty shootout. Reflecting on that painful exit, Bernardo stressed that belief is crucial, even when the situation seems difficult.

He highlighted the importance of sticking to the game plan, staying composed under pressure, and not allowing Real Madrid to dictate the flow of the match.

While acknowledging the challenge of facing such a formidable opponent, he expressed his willingness to take a penalty if the match goes to a shootout again.

“No matter what happens, we must believe and follow the plan. We know how good they are and we have to get out of those situations. If we go to penalties I will take it. Never mind last year’s ruling,” he said as quoted by SPORT.

Pep Guardiola’s infamous 1%

Bernardo Silva reflected on Pep Guardiola’s comments. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Another talking point has been Pep Guardiola’s remark about City having just a 1% chance of advancing to the next round. Bernardo admitted he was unsure of the exact probability but hoped it was higher.

He acknowledged that Real Madrid now hold the advantage, making City’s task even more difficult at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, he insisted that the team still has faith in their ability to compete and cause problems for Madrid.

“I don’t know what our percentage is, I hope it’s more than one percent. We know that at the beginning they talked about a 50/50, but now Madrid are more favourite.

“We have a more complicated job at the Bernabéu now but we believe that we can make life difficult for Madrid,” he added.

Kylian Mbappe’s impact

Bernardo Silva is happy for Kylian Mbappe. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Bongarts/Getty Images)

During the press conference, Bernardo was also asked about Kylian Mbappe’s impact. He praised the French forward as one of the most exceptional players in the world but reminded everyone that Madrid’s squad is filled with top-quality talent.

“I am happy because Mbappe has come to fulfil a dream I had as a child. He is one of the most special players in the world, but Madrid has many.”

He stressed that City must focus on controlling the game to avoid being caught out on the counterattack, ensuring they remain disciplined in their defensive approach.

“You can’t just focus on one, you have to think of them all. Control the game so you don’t get caught on the counter. We’ll keep an eye on Mbappe,” he added.

With the crucial clash approaching, City know that they will have to deliver a near-perfect performance to keep their Champions League hopes alive.