It’s not over – Jeremy Doku points defiant message as Man Metropolis plot Actual Madrid comeback
They might be 3-0 down however Manchester Metropolis are nonetheless assured of Champions League development
Jeremy Doku says Manchester Metropolis stay assured of discovering a well beyond Actual Madrid within the Champions League and can ”belief their high quality” in subsequent week’s second leg.
Metropolis had been crushed 3-0 on the Santiago Bernabeu final night time, Federico Valverde’s beautiful first-half hat-trick proving their undoing as Pep Guardiola’s crew choice and techniques had been made to look unwise.
It leaves the 2023 winners on the point of a round-of-16 exit however Belgium winger Doku retains hope and believes Gianluigi Donnarumma’s penalty save from Vinicius Jr might but show a pivotal second.
“I really feel like from 3-0 to 4-0 is a very completely different rating. I really feel like that helped us massively. We’re nonetheless assured, we belief our high quality,” stated Doku, who was a part of an attacking line-up chosen by Guardiola.
“We all know that enjoying on the Etihad it’s a completely different recreation. We’ll want our followers to assist us. If they will rating three objectives why can’t we?
“It could be loopy if I stated there was no likelihood. The whole lot is feasible in soccer so we nonetheless consider. If we rating rapidly it’s a distinct recreation with the supporters and every part, you set them underneath strain.”
Doku blames lack of focus for Metropolis’s round-of-16 defeat
Doku, who was certainly one of Metropolis’s greatest performers on a disappointing night time, felt the scoreline didn’t replicate the sport however praised Madrid for his or her ruthlessness in entrance of purpose.
He added: “It was not a nasty recreation from us. Clearly they scored three objectives however we had some possibilities.
“We had been enjoying nicely however clearly we should be higher typically and focus extra with the counter-attacks.
“In a majority of these video games you must rating from the probabilities that we now have. In any other case, once they have an opportunity they rating and that’s what occurred.
“They had been simply ready for us to make errors. They’re a great transition crew they usually scored three objectives so truthful play to them.”
The tie just isn’t over, says Madrid defender
Madrid’s former Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold stated no-one at Los Blancos feels the tie is gained but.
He informed UEFA.com: “It’s solely half-time. If you’re celebrating at half-time and pondering the sport is completed, your mindset is totally incorrect. The entire membership is aware of this isn’t completed. Now we have seen loopy video games between these two golf equipment earlier than, so we will’t rule out something. We don’t take something without any consideration and can go to the Etihad and attempt to win there as nicely.”
There may be one constructive omen for Metropolis. They beat Madrid 4-0 within the second leg of their semi-final in Manchester in 2023.
When is the second leg of Actual Madrid v Manchester Metropolis?
Fixture: Manchester Metropolis vs Actual Madrid (Champions League, spherical of 16, 2nd Leg)
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 (8pm)
Combination Rating: 0-3
Venue: Etihad Stadium
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