Pep Guardiola has issued an ultimatum to his Manchester City squad, telling any players who doubt their ability to stage a historic Champions League comeback to "stay at home". Facing a daunting three-goal deficit against Real Madrid, the Catalan manager is demanding total belief from his side. City must overcome both their recent poor form and a dismal historical record in first-leg recovery missions to keep their European dreams alive.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has offered a staunch defence of Erling Haaland, claiming the striker occupies "the most difficult position on the planet" after another scoreless outing against West Ham. The Norway international has seen his usually prolific output stall in 2026, a stark contrast to his blistering start to the campaign.

The manager's post-match comments in Spanish.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has never been one to shy away from tactical scrutiny, often acknowledging the noise surrounding his team selections. Following the stalemate at the London Stadium, the spotlight has fallen firmly on his handling of Rayan Cherki, whose impact as a substitute stood in stark contrast to the starters' output.

Manchester City’s hopes of recapturing the Premier League crown took a significant hit against West Ham, leaving them trailing Mikel Arteta's Arsenal by nine points. While City still hold a game in hand over the Gunners, the stalemate at London Stadium felt like a missed opportunity to pile pressure on title-chasing rivals. Despite the growing gap and City’s recent inconsistency, Pep Guardiola remains adamant that the race is still alive.