Pep Guardiola backtracks over Man City prediction ahead of Real Madrid clash: 'I lied' | OneFootball

Man City need an perfect game at the Santiago Bernabeu tonight

Pep Guardiola has backtracked over claims Manchester City have a one percent chance of beating Real Madrid to reach the Champions League last-16.

Man City must come from behind if they are to avoid an early exit from the competition after conceding two late goals in the first-leg en route to a 3-2 loss.

It leaves the reigning Premier League champions with a mountain to climb. They have won just once at the Santiago Bernabeu which came in February 2020 and know only a victory will be enough to advance to the next stage.

Following his side’s 4-0 win over Newcastle at the weekend, Guardiola didn’t have much hope of overturning the first-leg deficit.

"The margin to win in Bernabeu in that position [3-2 down], everybody knows that if you ask before the game, the percentage to go through, I don't know, we arrive at 1%, or I don't know what," he said.

"It will be minimal, but as much as you have a chance, we will try, that's for sure, you know? The chance is minor because the result was not good, five minutes ago, with 2-1, it would be different.

"But with 2-3, the chance is less, but as much as you have a chance, we are going to take it, and we'll see what happens."

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However, when speaking on the eve of the second leg, Guardiola’s toned had changed significantly, even going as far to say he ‘lied’ about Man City’s chances of going through.

"We have to change a lot," the Spaniard told reporters on Tuesday. “I lied to you, and you didn’t believe me. I said because we were out and nobody would have bet a penny on us. But as the days pass, the enthusiasm returns.

"We will try to go through. Carlo won’t need to say anything to me pre-game. We have to fix certain things but we will attack and at least try to give them a fright, then see what happens.”

Guardiola is aware Man City will need to be “almost perfect” to knock out the Champions League holders.

Though, hopes of doing so have been boosted with the return of Jack Grealish, whilst two-goal hero from the first-leg Erling Haaland has shaken off a minor knock to be included in the travelling squad.