Bernardo Silva is motivated by the prospect of constructing historical past as Manchester Metropolis chase an unprecedented second successive treble.
Metropolis have put themselves in a powerful place to retain the three trophies they gained in superb style final 12 months after taking management of the Premier League title race on the weekend.
Pep Guardiola’s aspect at the moment are two factors away from rivals Arsenal and Liverpool with six video games remaining.
BERNARDO This group has proved by the years we’re able to attending to the ultimate months preventing for all of the competitions. It’s not simple, clearly. That’s why solely two groups gained the Treble in English soccer as a result of it’s not simple. However we’re very joyful to be in a… pic.twitter.com/upiNCER7vB
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) April 16, 2024
Their consideration now switches to the Champions League and the second leg of a quarter-final tie in opposition to Actual Madrid on the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday that may start with the mixture rating at 3-3. They then head to Wembley on Saturday for an FA Cup semi-final date with Chelsea.
Midfielder Silva stated of Metropolis’s triple goal: “After all it’s clearly (an) inspiration and motivation.
“We wish to create that legacy and win one other Premier League, to do six in seven years and 4 in a row, and we wish to win the Champions League, to do two in a row, that solely Madrid did (with) three in a row. No-one else has gained consecutive Champions Leagues, if I’m not mistaken.
“If we will win two trebles in a row, that no-one did, that might be legacy. That’s undoubtedly motivation.
“It’s very tough as in a single week we may very well be out of all of the competitions, however we’re preventing for it and going to do the whole lot in our energy to be, every day, a step nearer that objective.”
Supervisor Pep Guardiola, who was talking alongside Silva at a press convention, was extra circumspect in detailing his ambitions however made clear his crew shall be giving the whole lot to attain the utmost.
He stated: “I’m not going to say don’t really feel this to my gamers once they really feel this, however I’ve a unique opinion. We’re distant from these hypothetical goals.
“Once we are within the closing of the FA Cup, and (have) two or three video games (to go within the Premier League) with a bonus, and within the closing of the Champions League, I’ll begin to consider that. However not earlier than a recreation in opposition to Actual Madrid.
“We have now numerous tough video games. It’s one recreation at a time and it’s Actual Madrid tomorrow. I began to think about the treble final season once we beat (Manchester) United within the FA Cup closing.
“The success for me this season is that we’re nonetheless there, on this place 4 or 5 weeks away, nonetheless in rivalry. It’s unbelievable.
“Now, lengthen the possibility another week, then another week. That is what we attempt to do tomorrow and Saturday and the subsequent video games.”
Guardiola, as a former Barcelona captain and supervisor, has had a fierce rivalry with Actual Madrid all through his profession.
That is the third successive 12 months his Metropolis aspect have performed Actual within the Champions League knockout phases, with the Spanish aspect going by in 2022 however the Premier League outfit prevailing a 12 months in the past.
And after final week’s pulsating draw within the Bernabeu Stadium, Guardiola is relishing one other contest in opposition to Carlo Ancelotti’s crew.
Guardiola stated: “Actual Madrid on this competitors is at all times a giant recreation. It’s been particular for me as a participant and supervisor, however that doesn’t depend. What counts is what we now have to do to win tomorrow.
“I don’t worry them however I respect them rather a lot.”
Metropolis hope to have Kyle Walker again after 5 video games out with a hamstring harm.