Pep Guardiola rates Manchester City’s chances of beating Real Madrid this week as low as one per cent.
City face a daunting task to reach the last 16 of the Champions League after losing the first leg of their play-off tie against the holders 3-2 last week.
With the return match coming at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, the odds are stacked against the English champions, who have endured a frustrating campaign.
Yet, buoyed by an unexpectedly emphatic 4-0 win over top-four rivals Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday, City will at least travel in hope if not expectation.
Manager Guardiola said: “There are many, many games we have not been playing the level we wanted and, in the end, we lost.
“Then it was not just the three points but how it was affecting our minds for the next game. It happened a lot of times.
“Of course this victory helps us but, listen, the margin to win at the Bernabeu from that position, everybody knows, the percentage to go through, we arrive at one per cent. Or I don’t know what, but it will be minimal.
“But as much as you have a chance we will try, that’s for sure. We are going like we always have done but, this season, the reality is we have been miles away. We have been really, really poor in performances and results this season.
“For one game, Saturday, we played really good but it’s not going to change the opinion, the reality. But, of course, it’s better to travel to Madrid with this result.”
City had been minutes away from a great result in the first match at the Etihad Stadium after a second goal from Erling Haaland put them 2-1 ahead.
The complexion of the tie changed completely after former City player Brahim Diaz and England international Jude Bellingham struck in quick succession in the closing moments.
Guardiola said: “So, at the end, OK, the chance is minor because the result was not good.
“Five minutes to go, with 2-1, it would have been different but, as much as you have a chance, we are going to take it and we’ll see what happens.”
