Can 'new' Man City rise to Real challenge?

News conferences are tricky when a team is three goals down against a major rival and you must look ahead to the rematch.

You can't sound defeatist, but also you must be realistic.

There was talk about that famous day Manchester City were two goals down against Aston Villa on the final day but came back to win the Premier League title. Pep Guardiola and Bernardo Silva were also keen to stress it doesn't matter what the position of the game was at what time, City need to retain belief - that is to get away from the old cliche that they need to score early.

Silva struck the key point, though.

This is a City team in transition. Of the 23 players involved in the 2023 Champions League final, 15 have left the club. Of those who remain, Nathan Ake and John Stones are not regular starters, Phil Foden rarely starts and Rodri and Ruben Dias have both suffered injuries.

City know they are capable of hitting the levels required on Tuesday - they weren't awful in the Bernabeu but Real took their chances - but that is different to knowing they will.

Victory would represent one of the great nights in City's history. It would also be a significant step forward for a new team.