Alvaro Arbeloa confident Real Madrid can match Man City despite injury setbacks

Madrid will host the Premier League champions with several key players unavailable, including Kylian Mbappe, who is sidelined with a knee sprain after failing to train ahead of the clash. Jude Bellingham, Eder Militao and Rodrygo are also among the absentees.

Despite the injury list, Arbeloa believes the Spanish giants must approach the tie with confidence.

"We're Real Madrid, we never feel less than anybody," Arbeloa said at Tuesday's press conference. "It doesn't matter the circumstance or who is in front of us. We shouldn't feel inferior to anyone."

Madrid's recent form has been mixed, with two defeats in their last four matches across competitions, but the coach insisted his team will face City "looking them in the eyes".

"We all know the opponent very well - the club, the coach, the players," he said. "They were champions two years ago, but we go into it with a lot of excitement. Tomorrow we'll play to win."

Midfielder Federico Valverde said the two-legged nature of the knockout tie adds another dimension compared with their previous meeting earlier in the season, when City won 2-1 in Madrid.

"It's a slightly different match than last time," Valverde said. "Now it's home and away, and that changes things quite a bit. But it's important to get a good result for the second leg. We don't want what happened last time to happen again, when we let it slip away because of our own mistakes."

Mbappe's absence leaves Vinicius Junior expected to lead Madrid's attack, although Arbeloa said the French star's recovery is progressing well.

"He's much better," the coach said. "It's something we have to look at day by day, but this week has been very positive. He's feeling good and improving, so we hope he'll be back soon."

The encounter will also pit Arbeloa against Pep Guardiola for the first time in his managerial career. The former Madrid defender expects the City boss to introduce tactical variations.

"He always has a surprise," Arbeloa said. "You have to think about many ideas and tactical approaches he might use. I'd be very surprised if tomorrow he doesn't change something in the way the team plays or attacks."

Facing Guardiola, who has won the Champions League three times as a coach, adds extra motivation, Arbeloa said.

"It's really important for me to face one of the best coaches in football. Even if we've played the club many times, it will be a special night."

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