Savinho, the Brazilian winger, has urged his Manchester City teammates to elevate their performance and avoid relying on playoffs for Champions League qualification. He also expressed his excitement about facing Real Madrid, describing it as a 'dream' matchup.
Savinho emerged as the decisive factor for Manchester City in their Champions League qualification push, securing their spot in the knockout stages during the final 45 minutes of the League Phase. Following his impactful performance, Savinho delivered a stark message to his teammates, emphasizing the need to avoid relying on playoffs to reach the last 16. He extended the same assessment to defending champions Real Madrid , acknowledging their status as a 'dream' opponent.
Savinho's journey since joining the City Football Group in 2022 has been a whirlwind. After joining Troyes, he spent a year at PSV Eindhoven and a season at Girona before his £33 million transfer to City in the summer. This week will mark the latest chapter in the nearly annual rivalry between City and Real Madrid. Savinho recalls watching these giants compete back in Brazil and longing to be a part of it.Fast forward three years, and Savinho is eager not to squander this opportunity against Los Blancos. 'I’ll be fulfilling a dream. I always watched Manchester City vs Real Madrid on the TV back when I was playing for Atlético Mineiro, and now, I get to be here living this moment,' he expressed. 'On getting Real Madrid in the draw, there was nowhere to run, it was either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid, two great teams, and we got Real Madrid.' However, Savinho is adamant that this fixture at this stage reflects poorly on both teams, who would have anticipated a direct passage to the last 16 with a top-eight finish in the League Phase. “I think we, as Manchester City, can’t play in the play-offs,' he stated emphatically. 'We should be getting into the next round more convincingly and not find ourselves in a play-off against Real Madrid – and it’s worth mentioning that Real Madrid, with all the weight their shirt carries, shouldn’t be in the play-offs either, with all due respect to the other teams. So, we have to be very careful in that regard.” Savinho shares an international dressing room with some of Real Madrid's most prominent players - Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Eder Militao, and Endrick - and has incorporated insights from their conversations into his preparation for the playoff showdown. “I spoke to Bernardo and even to Real Madrid players while on international duty with them, and they said sometimes because of the strength of their badge, let’s say they’re trailing 2-0, 3-0 and the game is not over, they know they can do what they did in the last Champions League campaign at any time – pull off a comeback in the final five minutes of the match. 'So, we must remain focused and score goals when we get the opportunities, as that will be quite important, too. It’s a lesson I learned at Girona: we played really, really well, but we didn’t convert our chances, and when an opportunity presented itself to them, they killed the game off.”Savinho has made significant strides since Christmas, adding goals and assists to his already promising start. He admits that the transition to a new country, league, and language initially weighed on him, despite the exciting move. His candid critiques extend to his own team, pointing out that City have conceded 'quite a few goals' this season and are 'scoring fewer goals'. 'Normally, the wingers score, and this season, we’re seeing that only Haaland is scoring,' he added. 'I would like to see not just me, but the whole team in a better position in terms of the overall performance of the team, being higher up the table, doing well in the Champions League.'Despite his reality checks, Savinho also sets high standards for himself, asserting that he needs more goals, assists, and trophies to be 'remembered' at City. He said: “Well, it’s not just about numbers, I think a player today needs numbers and titles. Since I’m just starting, I think I need to chase that; otherwise, it’ll just be a normal stint, and I won’t be remembered. 'I came to Manchester City to be remembered, to win titles, to score goals and get numbers, like I said.
Manchester City Real Madrid Champions League Savinho Playoffs Rivalry Goals Performance
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Manchester City Face Real Madrid in Champions League Showdown: Can City Exploit Potential Real Madrid Suspensions?Manchester City are set to face Real Madrid in a crucial Champions League knockout play-off clash. Despite City's recent struggles, the match presents them with an opportunity to capitalize on potential Real Madrid suspensions.
Read more »
Savinho: Manchester City's Quiet Assisting MachineSavinho, Manchester City's Brazilian winger, is exceeding expectations in his debut season. Despite initial setbacks, his commitment to fitness and on-field performance has seen him become a key player for the club.
Read more »
Savinho's Spark Ignites Manchester City's Champions League HopesSavinho's late cameo for Manchester City against Club Brugge proved pivotal, scoring twice and sparking a dramatic comeback. His performance highlights a potential shift in Guardiola's tactics as he seeks a system to navigate the Champions League knockout stages.
Read more »
Savinho Shines as Manchester City Secure Champions League QualificationSummer signing Savinho proved his worth to Manchester City with a standout performance against Club Brugge, scoring a crucial goal and setting up another in a 3-1 victory that secured their Champions League play-off spot. Guardiola made a tactical switch at half-time, bringing on Savinho for Gundogan, and the Brazilian attacker repaid his manager's faith with a decisive contribution.
Read more »
Savinho's Crazy Decision Almost Cost Him a Manchester City MoveSavinho, a Brazilian footballer, recounts his near-miss transfer to Manchester City last summer. When Pep Guardiola called offering him a place on the team, Savinho, feeling overwhelmed, asked for time to think, leaving Guardiola hanging. Savinho frantically tried calling Guardiola back, but the manager remained silent. Eventually, Guardiola rang back, sealing the deal and offering Savinho a chance to join the club.
Read more »
Laura Coombs Goal Secures Manchester City's Win Over Manchester UnitedManchester City defeated Manchester United in a hard-fought FA Women's Super League encounter. Laura Coombs' decisive goal proved the difference between the two teams.
Read more »