Fate brought Real and Man City back together for the fourth time in the last five seasons, when the two teams competed in the 1/8 round in 2020, and the semi-finals in 2022 and 2023. Last season, Man City eliminated Real in the semi-finals.

`I’m not afraid of them,` Guardiola said in the pre-match press conference at the Etihad.

Coach Guardiola hands the ball to Real defender Dani Carvajal in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Bernabeu on April 9.

The quarter-final first leg at the Bernabeu on April 9 took place excitingly right after the opening whistle, when Bernardo Silva kicked a free kick to open the score in the 2nd minute. After that, Real rallied and took the lead thanks to Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo.

According to Guardiola, Man City played well in the first leg, but will still change tactics to play better in the second leg.

Man City won the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup in the 2022-2023 season, and is in the fight to win all three of the most prestigious titles this season.

If they defend the Premier League title, Man City will become the first club to win this tournament four times in a row.

`We are very far from hypothetical dreams,` Guardiola continued with caution when mentioning the possibility of defending the treble of titles.

Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva said that the prospect of continuing to win the treble is bringing great motivation to Man City.

In their journey to winning the Champions League for the first time last season, Man City defeated Real with a total score of 5-1 in the semi-finals.

However, Silva affirmed that Carlo Ancelotti’s current squad is better than last season.