Manchester City faces a pivotal moment in their season as they prepare for a challenging encounter with Real Madrid. Having experienced a streak of successes over the last 7-8 seasons, the team now finds itself in unfamiliar territory. Currently sitting in fourth place in the Premier League, Manchester City is 16 points behind leaders Liverpool. The team remains determined to excel in the Champions League, knowing that a nearly flawless performance is necessary to progress further in the competition.
The team's current standing is a stark contrast to previous performances. Manchester City ended the previous season in 22nd place, and this season has been no less disappointing. They have already been eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Tottenham and have endured a seven-game winless streak. Despite these setbacks, the team recently managed to advance in the FA Cup, overcoming Leyton Orient after a challenging start.
"The result was not good. But the result is not the perfect situation, we have to attack and score goals. This is the idea." – Guardiola
The upcoming match against Real Madrid presents a daunting task. Manchester City has struggled to secure victories against Real Madrid on their home turf, having gone winless in their last three meetings there. The team's season now hinges on their ability to triumph in Madrid, a challenge they must confront with courage and determination.
"Play with courage and be yourself. You have to play to win the game otherwise you can lose." – Guardiola
Despite the challenges, key players like Silva remain optimistic about Manchester City's current form compared to earlier in the season. Silva reflects on the team's past success and acknowledges the difficulties they have faced this season. However, he believes that the team is improving and is no longer in the "dark place" they were in November.
"When a team is so successful, as ours was in the last seven to eight seasons, you lose a few and you are not used to it. We don't accept it. We don't take well to not winning. It was frustrating but I do think the team is in a better moment now but still not perfect, in terms of results especially." – Silva
Manchester City's motivation to remain in the Champions League is clear. The team recognizes that their journey this season could be defined by their performance against Real Madrid. As they prepare for this crucial match, they hope to rekindle the form that brought them success in previous years.
"We are not in the same dark place that I was feeling, like in November." – Silva
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