‘We’re not afraid of going to Real Madrid’: Manuel Pellegrini still confident after stalemate at home
Manchester City survive late onslaught by Spanish giants to keep hopes alive of reaching Champions League final for first time
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini vowed that his team would play with no fear in their Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid following a 0-0 first-leg draw.
Missing the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, Madrid created the better chances in Tuesday’s game, but substitute Jese saw a header hit the bar and City goalkeeper Joe Hart produced late saves to thwart Casemiro and Pepe.
We had good results playing away against Paris Saint-Germain, Dynamo Kiev and Sevilla. We are not afraid to go to the Bernabeu
City, appearing in their first semi-final, did not work visiting goalkeeper Keylor Navas until Kevin de Bruyne found the target with a stoppage-time free kick, but Pellegrini said his side would show a greater cutting edge in next week’s return leg in the Spanish capital.
“I don’t think they are favourites,” said the Chilean, who was sacked after only one season as Madrid head coach in 2010.
“We have the same option as Real Madrid. Of course they have the advantage to play the first game away, so they try to manage the tempo of the game.
“But this team play away very similar to how we play at the Etihad. We had good results playing away against Paris Saint-Germain, against Dynamo Kiev and against Sevilla.
“We are not afraid to go to the Bernabeu and we will see which team plays better in that game.”
