Man City ace Bernardo inspired facing Real Madrid

Manchester City ace Bernardo Silva admits he's inspired facing Real Madrid.

With the score locked at 3-3, City host Real in the second-leg of their Champions League quarterfinal.

Bernardo said: "Two different seasons and in football it never happens the same game. I feel Real Madrid are stronger this season than they were last season. That was my feeling when we played them at the Bernabeu.

"For sure they want a bit of revenge for that result [last season] as well.

"It just felt after the season before, when we were knocked out by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and the way that happened, we wanted to put things right.

"That performance was also a bit of an apology to our fans for the season before because we knew we owed them another chance to win the competition and we finally did it.

"Now this season it's a different game for sure, different teams. We have signings, they have signings and also players that left. Let's see what happens tomorrow, but we are very confident because we play at home knowing we play against the kings of the competition. We have respect for Real Madrid and now how difficult it is going to be."

On Real pair Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, he said: "Definitely they are inspirations and role models for me personally because they play more or less in the position I play. It's their consistency. They have been doing this for 15 years, Modric even longer.

"After everything they have achieved they keep going and they are an example for all the kids who are starting to play football to see how they conduct themselves on the pitch. They never think about themselves, they think about the team. Especially with the decisions they make."