Manuel Pellegrini believes Man City can go to Real Madrid for the Champions League semi-final second leg with hope, but confirmed David Silva will miss out through injury.
City battled to a 0-0 draw with the La Liga giants at The Etihad on Tuesday, although the positive result was marred slightly by Silva’s first half injury.
Real Madrid are yet to concede a Champions League goal at the Bernabeu this season, highlighting the task faced by Pellegrini’s men.
However, he says his side could be helped by Madrid taking a more attacking attitude in front of their own demanding supporters.
“We played a very intense game and defended well,” Pellegrini told reporters. “We tried to create until David Silva got injured then we lost the ball too much. If you cannot win then a 0-0 draw is good.
“We knew they were going to play a slow game and that is why we pressed as a team. When we had the ball, we could not make the difference. We could not score.
“This season we have played very well away. Now we go to the Bernabeu with the same attitude as playing at home.
“Real Madrid must attack a little bit more. You cannot take too much from the first leg, we can see from the second leg who will go through.
“David Silva has a hamstring injury and will not be fit in one week.”
Pellegrini’s positivity was echoed by City captain Vincent Kompany, who believes his team-mates can complete the job in Spain.
“0-0 is a very dangerous scoreline,” said Kompany. “From the moment we manage to score in Madrid, it will be very different.
“It is hard to keep a clean sheet against such an attacking team. We can be proud of what we have achieved in this first leg.
“They tried to hit us on the break and Joe Hart had to make some saves off set pieces.”
