City will play hosts to Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout stages before going to the Santiago Bernabeu for the return leg.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Since I've been here, this has been the most difficult season so far. But I'm a firm believer that even in the most difficult scenario, the most difficult beginning, you can still do something and achieve something beautiful in the end.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Right now, we are still in that position. Obviously, we know how difficult our opposition is and how difficult our way will be to get there. But it's a question of believing in what we have in the dressing room and we have loads of talent. We just have to use them in the right way. With the right belief, we can do anything,\" said Dias in the pre-match press conference.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Somewhat remarkably it\u2019s the fourth time in four seasons that City and Real Madrid have locked horns in the Champions League.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Real edged a dramatic semi-final win 6-5 on aggregate in May 2022 and also overcame Guardiola\u2019s side 4-3 on penalties last season at the quarter-final stage after the sides had fought out a dramatic 4-4 draw over the two legs. In-between, however, City recorded a famous 5-1 semi-final aggregate win in 2023 en-route to a historic Treble.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Real Madrid finished 11th in the Champions League table, City were 22nd. Sides that finished ninth to 16th are seeded in the knockout play-offs, so they play at home in the second leg.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Guardiola was asked about the disadvantage of having to play the away game in the second leg but the Spaniard dismissed the question stating his team did not deserve the home advantage.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Real Madrid finished 11th in the Champions League table, City were 22nd. Sides that finished ninth to 16th are seeded in the knockout play-offs, so they play at home in the second leg.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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