Manchester City’s head coach Pep Guardiola emphasized that playing at Santiago Bernabéu against Real Madrid is an important test and a key moment to reveal his team’s character, especially with many new players facing this challenge for the first time.

Guardiola said that City's frequent visits to the Spanish capital over the past years have witnessed many great moments as well as some difficult ones, emphasizing that the new players have an opportunity to showcase their abilities in one of the most prominent stadiums.

Guardiola said: "We were in the group stage, and it's different when you play in the round of 16, quarterfinals, or semifinals."

He added: "Last season, we reached [this point] despite all the problems, but all the other matches were close and good."

He continued: "We have important players experiencing the Bernabéu for the first time."

He continued, saying: "The biggest players who have built a legacy over the past decade, like De Bruyne, Walker, Gundogan, and Stones, are not present, and many new players want to take part in this experience."

He added, "They want to know that they were able to do it and that they can do it again. It's a good place to prove yourself and show who you are as a team."

Manchester City arrives in Madrid while Real Madrid sits in second place in La Liga, amid controversy sparked by their recent 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo and press questions about coach Xabi Alonso's future.

Guardiola commented on that, saying: "That's their opinion. I don't agree with it, but it's their opinion."

He added, "Of course, I have sympathy for him; we spent two years together, and it was a wonderful experience."

He continued: "Not only as coaches, but we also shared a lot with our families as well. Barcelona and Real Madrid are the two toughest clubs to manage because of the environment."

He continued: "It's a tough place, but he knows that, and this is the reality of working here. Many players get injured, as happened to us last season, but he is capable of fulfilling the demands of his position as coach of Real Madrid."

He continued, saying: "Today, you have to win everywhere, or else you will face a problem."

He concluded his statements by saying: "In England, what happens in the dressing room always stays there, but in my experience in Spain, with Barcelona and Real Madrid, everyone knows everything."