Josko Gvardiol has indicated that Manchester City’s recent victory against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu serves as a signal to the rest of Europe that they can triumph over any opponent this season.
City secured a comeback victory, winning 2-1 in Madrid, which moved them up to fourth place in the Champions League standings.
Domestically, Pep Guardiola’s team is looking to close the gap on Arsenal, who currently lead the Premier League.
Gvardiol views the win as a positive indication heading into the later stages of the season, highlighting City’s ability to achieve crucial results when it matters most.
“I agree with you,” he stated when asked if winning in Madrid demonstrates that City can defeat any team this season.
“We understand how challenging it is to play here, as many teams have struggled in this venue.”
“However, this isn’t our first encounter here. We know that Real Madrid might not be in their best form right now.”
“So, we seized the opportunity to earn three vital points necessary for us to fight for a top-eight finish in the Champions League.”
“It’s essential for us to recover well. Everyone is feeling fatigued, both mentally and physically. We must prepare adequately for the match against Crystal Palace on Sunday and aim for a strong performance.”
Following two consecutive losses to Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen, City has bounced back with four successive wins, scoring a total of 13 goals during this streak.
Guardiola’s sides have a reputation for embarking on prolific winning streaks in the critical phases of the season.
Despite losing several key players, including Éderson, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gündogan, and Kevin De Bruyne, Gvardiol believes the new squad has what it takes to achieve success.
“I truly believe that,” he responded.
“We’re performing well. We take it one game at a time and avoid looking too far ahead.”
“Our team is strong, with exceptional players on the bench who are ready to step in. We are committed to competing.”
Initially starting his City career as a left-back, Gvardiol has transitioned to partner Rúben Dias in central defense.
This positional shift has been influenced by Nico O’Reilly‘s impressive form at left-back.
The 20-year-old contributed to the comeback against Real Madrid and is having a standout season, with hopes of representing Gvardiol’s Croatia at the upcoming World Cup if he secures a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
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“I’m incredibly proud of him,” Gvardiol added.
“I’m genuinely happy for him. He’s young, but honestly, when I see him play next to me, he seems like a veteran. He possesses immense talent.”
“There’s a reason he’s in the starting lineup. He just needs to keep pushing forward. He has the full support of me, the team, the manager, and the club. He’s capable of achieving great things in his career.”