Manchester City are not afraid of Real Madrid as the wait to play the Champions League last-16 second leg goes on.
City produced a brilliant tactical display at the Bernabeu to establish a 2-1 lead going into the home leg at the Etihad, but that was postponed after the Madrid squad went into precautionary isolation when one of their basketball players tested positive for the coronavirus.
Since then, the football season - including the Champions League - has been suspended. The Premier League and La Liga will resume fixtures in the coming fortnight, but no date or schedule has been set for the Champions League to resume.
When it does, City know they are favourites to progress to the quarter-finals, but are wary of Real's pedigree in the competition, according to Ilkay Gundogan.
He told Fanatik: “In the last 16 first games of the Champions League, we beat Real Madrid on the road 2-1. It would be a great success if we eliminated them. The quality of Real Madrid is obvious.
"They are the team that has won the most Champions Leagues and they are very experienced so we have to be careful but we have no fear of them.
"Our ambition is also quite high. Of course we want to progress but the opponent is Real Madrid. The rematch will be very difficult.”
Like City's remaining Premier League fixtures, the Champions League will take place without fans - something Gundogan says will be a pity, but necessary.
Speaking about how City have adapted to the lockdown and plans to resume the season, he said: “We are used to a maximum of four weeks on vacation in the Premier League. It has been two months since. It was difficult for us.
"Unless things get worse, we would love to play, unless there is a risk. We started training, but starting from scratch after two months was a bit of a challenge.
"We don't have much time, league matches are starting. It is a pity that the matches will be played without fans."
