Manchester City’s hopes of reaching the Champions League last 16 took a major hit after squandering a 2-1 lead at home in the first leg against Real Madrid, ultimately losing 3-2. Despite the setback, manager Pep Guardiola believes there’s still a slim chance of a comeback, and City’s recent additions could be the key to making it happen.
Guardiola admitted that City’s prospects of advancing are just “one percent,” but the English champions will cling to any hope they can find. The defeat in the first leg was part of a worrying trend this season, with City’s veteran squad struggling to maintain intensity in high-stakes European fixtures.
A Change in Transfer Strategy
Recognizing the need for reinforcements, City departed from their usual transfer approach by spending big in the January window. They brought in Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Nico Gonzalez for a combined fee of £170 million ($214 million).
Despite these significant signings, Guardiola opted against using them extensively in the first leg. Marmoush came off the bench for a brief cameo, while Gonzalez and Khusanov remained unused substitutes. Reis wasn’t even registered for City’s Champions League squad.
However, Guardiola may now be rethinking those decisions after the trio played a starring role in City’s dominant 4-0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday—arguably their best performance of the season.
Fresh Faces Shine Against Newcastle
Marmoush stole the show with a first-half hat-trick, finally providing City with another clinical attacking option to support Erling Haaland. His sharp finishing and movement offered a glimpse of what he could bring to City’s attack in Madrid.
Meanwhile, Khusanov bounced back impressively from his nightmare Premier League debut against Chelsea last month, where he made a costly mistake and nearly got sent off. Against Newcastle, he displayed the speed and defensive awareness that convinced City to invest £33 million ($42 million) in his potential. His ability to neutralize Newcastle’s Alexander Isak suggests he could be crucial in dealing with Real Madrid’s rapid attackers, including Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo.
Perhaps the most significant boost, however, came from Nico Gonzalez. The former Barcelona midfielder provided much-needed stability in the middle of the park, an area where City have struggled since losing Rodri to a serious knee injury in September.
Gonzalez: A “Mini Rodri”
Guardiola has already dubbed Gonzalez a “mini Rodri,” and his impact was evident against Newcastle. Former City defender Micah Richards echoed that sentiment, highlighting the balance he brings to the squad.
“The team looks far more composed with Gonzalez in midfield,” Richards said. “City have plenty of attacking firepower, but they need someone to anchor things in Madrid. Gonzalez gives them a real chance.”
Can City Overcome Their Champions League Struggles?
Even at their peak, Manchester City have often struggled to get the better of Real Madrid in the Champions League. This marks the fourth straight season that the two clubs have met in Europe’s elite competition. City’s only triumph came last year when they dismantled Madrid 5-1 on aggregate en route to their first-ever Champions League title.
However, their history with Madrid includes painful memories. In 2022, they were minutes away from reaching the final before Rodrygo’s dramatic stoppage-time double forced extra time, sending Madrid through instead. Last season, City dominated large portions of their quarter-final ties, but Madrid ultimately prevailed on penalties.
Guardiola’s Reality Check
Despite Saturday’s emphatic win, Guardiola remains realistic about his team’s struggles this season.
“Our performances have been far below our usual standards,” he admitted. “We’ve been miles off the pace. Just because we played well in one game doesn’t mean everything has changed overnight.”
Yet, while Guardiola acknowledges the odds are stacked against them, he insists City won’t go down without a fight.
“If you asked anyone before this game, they’d say we have just a one percent chance. But as long as there’s a chance, we’ll give everything we have.”
With their season on the line, City will be hoping their January reinforcements can provide the spark they need to pull off a miracle in Madrid.
