City must show identity in Bernabéu test, says Guardiola

March 11, 2026 Oliver Obel

Pep Guardiola has urged Manchester City to approach their Champions League clash with Real Madrid by staying faithful to their style of play, as the clubs prepare for another high-profile European meeting.

City travel to the Santiago Bernabéu for the first leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday, continuing a rivalry that has become one of the most frequent heavyweight matchups in the competition in recent years.

According to reporting by The Guardian, the upcoming match will be the 12th time Guardiola has faced Madrid since taking charge of City in 2016. Overall, the teams have met 16 times in European competition, with each side winning five matches and five ending in draws.

Guardiola said his players must embrace the challenge without abandoning the approach that has defined the team during his tenure.

“You have to face the game with incredible respect, look in their eyes and say: ‘This is who we are as a team.’ You have to be who you are,” Guardiola said.

“Earn the tickets – I want to deserve to be there. That is the intention on the big stages against the biggest teams, knowing it is 180 minutes and the more you control the good moments it will be better.”

The City manager explained that his side’s identity is built around regaining possession quickly, defending collectively when needed and minimizing mistakes — factors that often decide matches at the highest level of European football.

“Being proactive to regain the ball, when we cannot attack quick for the quality they have, then drop back as a team, don’t make many mistakes – otherwise this competition punishes you a lot – and recover as much as possible,” he said.

“Play better than the opponent.”

Guardiola also reflected on how previous disappointments in the Champions League helped shape the squad before their eventual triumph in 2023, when City defeated Inter Milan 1–0 in the final.

“The year that we won, playing not a good final,” he said, describing the victory as the result of lessons learned from earlier exits — including a dramatic loss to Real Madrid in the semifinal the previous season and elimination by Tottenham in 2019.

However, Guardiola acknowledged that much of his current squad has not experienced those earlier European campaigns.

“Maybe 60 or 70%,” he said when asked how many players are new to these kinds of high-pressure Champions League tests.

Real Madrid are expected to be without Kylian Mbappé due to a knee injury, which could remove one of the Spanish side’s most dangerous attacking threats.

Still, City goalkeeper Ederson warned that Madrid’s depth and experience in the competition make them formidable opponents regardless of who starts.

“They are a team full of champions and players who are used to these matches,” he said. “We know it will be a difficult game, but we are ready to compete.”

Sources: The Guardian, Reuters