"Real Madrid can overturn a tie in five minutes"

Manchester City and Real Madrid are living from this Tuesday what is an anticipated final, or at least what was thought at the beginning of the season. Both teams have struggled to get through the league phase of this Champions League on their own merits, which has condemned them to face each other in this preliminary play-off.

Savinho, who already knows what it's like to play against Real Madrid in a Girona shirt, gave an overview of what to expect from the best possible play-offs. And he is aware that a minute's relaxation can lead to elimination.

"We have to be focused and take our chances when we get them. That will be very important. I learned that at Girona. We played very, very well, but we didn't take our chances and when they had one, they put the game to bed," the Brazilian explained to the English club's official media.

Savinho recalled watching both teams play each other in recent years: "I always watched City against Madrid on television when I played for Atletico Mineiro, and now I get to be here living this moment."

"I spoke to Bernardo and even Madrid players while I was with them in the national team, and they told me that sometimes, because of the strength of their badge... Let's say they go 2-0 or 3-0 down and the game is not over, they know they can do what they did in the last Champions League, make a comeback in the last five minutes of the game," Savinho warned.

The Brazilian regretted having to go through this extra round which has also paired them with another of the favourites: "We should get to the next round more convincingly and not find ourselves in a play off against Real Madrid. It's worth remembering that Real Madrid, with all the weight their shirt carries, shouldn't be in the play off either, with all due respect to the other teams."