Guardiola springs a surprise as last-minute reinforcement arrives in Madrid ahead of the clash!

As Real Madrid and Manchester City prepare for an explosive clash in the Champions League, Pep Guardiola has a last-minute surprise in store. An unexpected reinforcement has just arrived in Madrid.

Real Madrid, under Carlo Ancelotti, know that the clash with Manchester City will be a real test. The Madrid squad, weakened by injuries and a demanding fixture list, will have to be at their best if they are to have any hope of qualifying. For his part, Guardiola is preparing to take on a team he knows well, but which remains unpredictable at the legendary Bernabeu.

In a press conference, the Catalan coach made no secret of the difficulties that await his team. ‘We have to play a perfect game and get a good result. It’s not the best situation, but we’re going to give it everything we’ve got. The Bernabéu is a stadium where you have to know how to suffer,’ he said. It’s a clear message: Manchester City are coming to fight to the bitter end.

Last-minute reinforcement for Guardiola

While all eyes were on City’s stars, a new face appeared in Madrid. Abduqodir Khusanov, a young defender from Uzbekistan, joined Guardiola’s squad in the final hours before the clash with Real. El Chiringuito’s cameras caught his discreet entrance to City’s training camp in Madrid. Unlike his team-mates, Khusanov travelled alone. According to the Uzbek media, his Schengen visa obtained in Greece forced him to travel separately from the English squad.

📸 IMAGEN @elchiringuitotv

😳 ¡Khusanov, central del City, llega de madrugada al hotel de concentración!

📺 Lo estamos viendo YA en #ChiringuitoMadrid. pic.twitter.com/u3DueVcML4

— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) February 19, 2025

This completely atypical situation does not mean, however, that he will play a major role in this crucial match. Indeed, although he is officially available, he is not expected to take the field at the Bernabeu, barring an unexpected injury to a first-team regular. Transferred to Manchester City this winter for €50 million from Lens, Khusanov has struggled to convince. His performances have not lived up to expectations, and he has come in for criticism in England.