Jeremy Doku cautions Real Madrid: Man City ‘remains confident’
Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku has cautioned Real Madrid that their Champions League matchup is far from decided, even though they enter the second leg trailing 3-0.
City will host the Spanish side at the Etihad Stadium next week, requiring a victory by at least three goals to have any hope of advancing to the quarterfinals.
Pep Guardiola’s team previously defeated Real Madrid 4-0 in the semifinal second leg at the Etihad in 2023 on their path to winning the title.
Doku remarked that if Real Madrid can net three goals at home, then City is also capable of doing so.
“It would be absurd for me to claim there is no chance,” Doku stated.
“They are undoubtedly a significant team, but we recognize that they scored three goals against us, so why can’t we do the same?
“At the Etihad, we will rely on our supporters to apply pressure [on them]. Anything is achievable in football, so we continue to have faith.”
City were taken aback at Santiago Bernabeu by a 22-minute first-half hat trick from Federico Valverde.
Vinícius Júnior had an opportunity to add a fourth goal but had his second-half penalty saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Despite the challenging task ahead in the second leg, Doku believes Donnarumma’s save could still be significant.
“I think going from 3-0 to 4-0 represents a completely different scenario,” he said.
“I believe that helped us tremendously. We remain confident.
“Of course, we have a match against West Ham before that, but we have faith in our abilities. We know that playing at the Etihad changes the dynamics.”
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As the second leg approaches on Tuesday in Manchester, Doku has urged the City supporters to foster a daunting atmosphere for their opponents.
“If they stand by us, it transforms the game entirely,” Doku expressed.
“We truly need them to motivate us and apply pressure on them, as their presence has a significant impact on us on the field.
“We trust that they will support us and cheer us on.”
