Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden refused to say his team are favourites to reach the Champions League semifinals after City’s thrilling 3-3 draw at Real Madrid in the first leg on Tuesday.
Having led 1-0 after two minutes at the Bernabéu, City trailed 2-1 at half-time before goals from Foden and Josko Gvardiol re-established their lead.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
Real Madrid’s Fede Valverde equalised in the 79th minute to leave the tie all square ahead of the return leg at the Etihad stadium on April 17.
“How can you be favourites against Madrid after so many Champions Leagues that they’ve won,” Foden told TNT Sports when asked which team has the edge in the return leg. “Down to the bookies that one, I think.”
In last season’s Champions League semifinals, Madrid and City drew 1-1 in the opening leg at the Bernabéu before City’s 4-0 second leg victory.
Pep Guardiola’s men have a phenomenal record at the Etihad in Europe where they haven’t lost in 30 games, but Foden said Madrid will test that mark.
“I think I put it [the record at Etihad] down to the fans,” Foden said. “They are always behind us in the big games. They are so loud and they push us even more. Hopefully we can keep that [record] up. It’s going to be tough against Madrid.
“They have some of the best attackers in the world, one of the best teams in the world as well, so it’s going to be difficult. We have to have the confidence. We did it last year. We have to believe in ourselves and hopefully we can do it again.”
As for Tuesday’s six-goal thriller, Foden said: “It’s so fun [to play against Real Madrid]. I think on paper we probably have some of the best attackers in the world facing each other. It’s what the fans want to see, head to head, two of the best teams.”
– Man City, Real Madrid’s instant classic sets up epic return leg
– Ancelotti backs Real Madrid to progress after Man City thriller
– The race for five places in next season’s Champions League
Foden’s stunning strike at the Bernabéu was his fifth Champions League goal in seven games, on top of his 14 goals in 30 Premier League appearances this season.
“I seem to be in a good scoring form this year,” the England international said. “I feel that when you score, your confidence is really high. When I received on the edge of the box I thought, why not try it, and I’m just thankful to see it go to the top corner.
“It’s one of the best feelings to score at one of the best stadiums in the world. I can say now I can take that off the bucket list. I feel we’ve come a long way to come here and do what we did.”
