As Manchester City prepares for the crucial second leg of their Champions League tie against Real Madrid, manager Pep Guardiola has expressed grave concerns over his team's chances of advancing. Following a narrow 3-2 defeat in the first leg at home, Guardiola estimates that City now has only a "one percent" chance of progressing to the last 16 due to a mounting injury crisis that has left them with significant defensive gaps.

Key players such as Manuel Akanji have been ruled out for up to 10 weeks with a thigh injury, while Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake missed a recent 4-0 victory against Newcastle due to fitness concerns. Although there is a possibility that Dias and Ake could return for the match in Madrid, their lack of match readiness poses a significant risk. Guardiola mentioned that he would not want to rush them back, especially given their critical roles in defense. The absence of a fully fit backline puts immense pressure on the team as they head into a must-win situation at the Bernabeu.

Despite the daunting odds, Guardiola remains optimistic about his team's performance, citing their impressive display against Newcastle. He acknowledged that if City had played with such intensity throughout the season, they wouldn't find themselves in their current predicament in the Champions League. The manager emphasized the importance of taking every opportunity available, stating, "As much as you have a chance, we will try." With City facing one of the toughest challenges in European football and their defensive options severely limited, the upcoming clash will test the resilience and adaptability of Guardiola's squad.