As Pep Guardiola said, if they want to dominate the Champions League, they must be able to beat Madrid. So of course it is an obligation for Pep Guardiola to be able to maximize the match against Madrid in Leg 1. However of all the phases that Madrid will face, their biggest challenge will come early, in essence like it or not, the Leg of the match will be like a final for anyone, a fierce battle will not can be avoided. The results of Leg 1 have a big impact, therefore Pep Guardiola understands Madrid situation much better, especially after Benzema left. Bellingham will be reunited with Haaland as an old friend from his days at Dortmund and will make this match even more special than the last meeting last season.
Beating Real Madrid is a tough challenge that must be overcome by any club that wants to dominate the Champions League. Manchester City cannot be said to be completely strong in the Champions League. Just because they were able to win the Champions League trophy last season and beat Real Madrid. It doesn't mean that Manchester City can boast because they can't we deny that Real Madrid is still the King of the Champions League and has collected 14 titles, while Manchester City only has 1 Champions League trophy and this season Manchester will not necessarily be able to get it because Real Madrid cannot be underestimated. Real Madrid's performance is stronger this season unlike last season I think in the first leg Real Madrid will create a big aggregate in order to avenge their defeat last season.
The meeting between Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland will be a dramatic meeting because they will be enemies in the match and we will see a fierce battle between the two of them in attacking, even though Jude Bellingham is not a striker like Haaland, Jude Bellingham can be relied on by Ancellotti to be in every striker position to attack. I'm really looking forward to this big match which feels like a final and at the same time sad because we will lose one of the best clubs in the Champions League before final.