City were heavily beaten at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium last week, where Federico Valverde struck a stunning first-half hat-trick to leave Alvaro Arbeloa's side firmly in control of the tie.

Guardiola did not hide from the scale of the challenge. "It has to be a perfect game in many senses," he said. "We have to get the players in the right positions. In the first leg we played with four or five strikers and didn't score. Sometimes you do something different and it works, sometimes it doesn't."

He remained confident that his side could create chances quickly if they found rhythm. "We can create many chances in minutes. The idea is there, we just have to execute it better."

The City manager pointed to past comebacks for belief, including their dramatic 3-2 win over Aston Villa in 2022, when Ilkay Gundogan inspired three goals in 14 minutes to seal the Premier League title. "We have done incredible things before," Guardiola said. "But in games like this, everything has to be right."

History offers little comfort. Only three teams have overturned a three-goal deficit in Champions League knockout ties, including Liverpool's famous comeback against Barcelona in 2019.

"The task is massive," Guardiola admitted. "To score more than three goals against Madrid is not easy. But this is football. If we are clinical and defend well, we will be in the game."

City's preparations have also drawn attention after Guardiola opted to delay training to matchday, giving his players extra rest following their 1-1 draw with West Ham United. "I prefer them to be at home," he explained. "We will arrive, move a little, and go."

For Madrid, Kylian Mbappe is fit again, while Jude Bellingham travelled but is not ready to play. Arbeloa confirmed: "He wanted to be with the team, but he won't be involved."

With the odds stacked against them, Guardiola's message was clear - only perfection will give City a chance.

Dates, venues, and kick-off times for the Nedbank Cup round of 16 confirmed