MY ACCOUNT
Manchester City have full focus on winning a maiden Champions League title, Raheem Sterling explained ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with Real Madrid.
City were beaten by Chelsea in last season’s final, but remain in contention to end their European drought after overcoming Atletico Madrid in a tense quarter-final tie earlier this month.
Next up for the Premier League leaders is a semi-final clash with Los Blancos, against whom Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in their last three home Champions League meetings (one win, two draws).
Among City players, only Riyad Mahrez (six goals, one assist) has bettered Sterling’s five Champions League goal contributions this season (three goals, two assists), and the England winger is highly motivated to make up for past failures in Europe.
“Every season we are a club looking to challenge for all the big trophies,” Sterling told a media conference on Monday.
“The Champions League is the one we haven’t got our hands on and is the one we are focused on.
“It’s a special competition, it’s a competition every young player wants to be in, and it was no different [for me] growing up. The music and atmosphere on the night is always special.”
This will be the seventh meeting between the two teams in European competition, with each of the previous six coming in the Champions League. After failing to win the first four, City defeated Madrid home and away in a last-16 tie in 2019-20, albeit the second leg was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sterling, however, insisted those past meetings will count for nothing as Guardiola looks to become the first manager to eliminate Madrid in three separate Champions League knockout ties.
“We know – not just from this season but from previous seasons and history – how good they are in this competition,” Sterling said.
“They have scored late goals but we have players who have been in high-pressure games and we know how to deal with it. I think come tomorrow, we will be fine.
“What’s happened previously doesn’t really matter. All that’s in the past. All we can control is making sure we are prepared right. It’s a game over two legs, we can’t focus on their previous games, we focus on tomorrow at the Etihad.”
Sterling has netted 24 goals for City in the Champions League. Among English players, only Wayne Rooney (30) has scored more times in the competition’s history.
It is a record Sterling has an eye on.
“When you make your debut, then it’s the next thing: score your first goal, and you always look to be better and improve,” he added.
“As a forward, to be scoring and making assists is a massive thing. It’s where you get your confidence from. That’s what I am out there for.
“It’s a team full of competition. It’s the competition that makes you thrive. When you are performing you want to keep scoring and making assists. Sometimes you have to understand there’s a lot of great players in the team.
“I’m playing and contributing a lot more [compared to last season]. I am in a good mood, good spirits. The team is in the semi-finals of the Champions League and fighting for the title. I couldn’t ask for much more. I am in good spirits.
“If I can get the English record, that’s what I will do.”
Sterling has recorded 20 goal contributions for City in all competitions this season (14 goals, six assists).
