Manchester City's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma appeared at a press conference to discuss tomorrow's match against Real Madrid, in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

The Italian goalkeeper said: "Without a doubt, Real Madrid is one of the contenders to win the Champions League. History speaks for itself; they are accustomed to playing these matches. However, they will face a team eager to win and reach the end, possibly surprising everyone. We have great ambition and are aware of the atmosphere we will encounter here. These are two matches that must be approached with calmness and focus."

He added about adapting to the Premier League: "The most important thing is the relationship with my teammates. I do what I do best: stopping the balls. But you have to understand your teammates' movements on the field. The rest was very easy thanks to my teammates and the coach, as they made me feel at home. I feel like I've spent many years in Manchester, and that for me is the greatest victory. I always try to help my team."

Regarding his mistake against Benzema in 2022: "Since that moment, I have developed a lot. I have played many matches, and this helps a lot. Experience helps you learn how to deal with different situations. I don't consider it revenge; these are situations that can happen on the field. Tomorrow's match will be different, and my goal is to win and lead City to the place it deserves."

He continued: "I don't think Real Madrid lacks motivation. Playing for Real Madrid is not something available to everyone, and whoever wears this jersey deserves to be here. I don't think they are without motivation; it's a season that has seen some ups and downs, but we know they are a different team in the Champions League. We are ready, and we know we will face a young team that has a great desire to lead Real Madrid to the end. It will be a tough match, and we must prepare well for it. Playing here is not easy, and emotions must be controlled."

About Thibaut Courtois: "I have a great relationship with him, and he is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the world. I have always admired him since his days at Milan. He has always been among the best, and I have a lot to learn from a player like him. He has contributed a lot to the teams he has played for. We hope to make him work hard in these two matches and leave us some room to score. He is an excellent goalkeeper, and I try to learn from him in everything, even in his calm and simple style of play. History confirms that he has been among the best for many years."

Regarding Kylian Mbappe's absence: "I was fortunate to play with him; he is one of the best players in the world and an incredible talent. Not having a player like him in the match could be an advantage, of course, because the workload is less, but those who will replace him are also champions. Real Madrid is a team of champions, so our focus will remain the same. I am a close friend of Kylian and I wish him a speedy recovery and hope he will be present in the return match. He deserves it."

He added: "I must thank the team leaders because they welcomed me wonderfully and made me feel like part of the team. At first, it wasn't easy because the change was significant, but now I feel very comfortable. We have many young players, and I can help them a little, which is what I'm trying to do. We are a very balanced team, with experienced players who have won a lot, in addition to young players who can also help us."

He concluded: "There are several teams that can win the championship. If we talk about last season, before the round of 16, no one considered Paris Saint-Germain among the strong contenders. Everything can change depending on the moment and the physical condition of the team. In these matches, you can be eliminated from the tournament, so you must take fewer risks and make fewer mistakes. Any small detail can make the difference. There are many contending teams, and we will try to reach the end."