Man City: Mascot tries to fist bump David Silva in tunnel
Manchester City take on Real Madrid in the Champions League today and ahead of the last-16 first leg tie, David Silva has identified which opposition star he would like to see join them, if given the choice.
The 34-year-old attacking midfielder said he would like to see Real defender Sergio Ramos join him at City.
City boss Pep Guardiola decided against signing a replacement defender for the outgoing Vincent Kompany last season and the Citizens have struggled at times at the back this campaign.
With 11 Premier league games still to play the Citizens have already conceded six more goals than they did last season.
And Silva thinks Ramos’s arrival at the Etihad would help them.
Man City news: David Silva would like to see Real defender Sergio Ramos join him at City (Image: GETTY)
When asked which player he would take from Real if given the choice, Silva said: “I have many colleagues and colleagues from the national team, who I enjoyed lots of things with.
“In this case it would be Sergio.
“I’ve known him a long time, he’s a leader and would be good for us.”
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City take on Real at the Bernabeu today, with the return leg at the Etihad taking place in March.
The Champions League has added significance for the Citizens this season, after UEFA issued City with a two-year ban from European club competitions after it decided they had breached Financial Fair Play regulations.
And while the club have said they will appeal the ban, Silva insists that he and his team-mates have always dreamed of winning the competition.
“It’s very important,” he said.
“Not only this season, but all of the seasons before, I wanted to win it with my team-mates. We didn’t, so it will be important match.
Man City news: David Silva wants to win the Champions League (Image: GETTY)
“I believe the second leg at home is better for us because it’s with our people. We will need a good match and a good result.”
And while Guardiola warned his players that they need to perform if they want to leave Madrid with a positive result, he also admitted a little luck wouldn’t hurt.
“You need to play good - that’s the first,” Guardiola said.
“We have to be strong, have quality and need to have luck. At this stage, it’s important but we cannot control that.
“We can control what we can control and we will see.
“This competition, last season, against Liverpool, there are decisions.
“You have to overcome. You need incredible concentration in our game and game plan, plus try to be a little lucky.”