However, it is worth remembering that everything started to go wrong for Guardiola during the very first match of the season, when the reigning league champions could not beat their neighbours Man United during the Community Shield, claiming a victory on penalties despite the 1-1 draw on the scoresheets.
However, the statistics reveal that the game might come at the worst moment for Guardiola's band - considered his worst-ever City - because they will enter the pitch with a disappointing record in big games during this campaign.
Furthermore, the Citizens' display in the Champions League group stage was far from the standards they have set since the Spaniard's arrival - with the side narrowly avoiding a shock elimination in a dramatic game against Club Bruges.
Manchester City will go into their Champions League clash with Real Madrid with a poor record in big games throughout the 2024-25 campaign.
To improve things at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola's band brought several players such as Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez and Abdukodir Khusanov.
