(Reuters) – Manchester City’s task in the Champions League has not become any less difficult with the exits of Real Madrid and Liverpool, as all the groups on the Lisbon mini-tour are able to win, said midfielder Bernardo Silva.
Pep Guardiola’s City has eliminated Real Madrid in the last 16 matches, while protective champion Liverpool has been eliminated via Atletico Madrid.
City is Saturday’s quarter-final favourite against Olympique Lyonnais, but Silva said he would be complacent.
“Anything can happen, Juventus were eliminated through Lyon, we lost to Tottenham Hotspur last year in the quarter-finals,” Silva told City.
“We’ve noticed a lot of surprises. It is very difficult to expect the effects of this competition.”
“The fact that Liverpool is absent, Real Madrid is absent: it will not make it any less difficult for us … All the Groups in Lisbon are here because they deserve it. We have to be on our own to win matches and watch the final succeed”.
Silva, who was born in Lisbon and started his career at Benfica, said the prospect of lifting the trophy at home had given him an additional motivation.
“Winning this festival has been a purpose for the players and the club. It will be very special to win it. For me, especially because it’s my city,” he added.
Reporting through Arvind Sriram in Bengaluru; Edited through Peter Rutherford
All quotes were delayed for at least 15 minutes. See here for a complete list of transactions and delays.