Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva has claimed the club’s Champions League campaign will not be derailed by a possible ban from the European competition.
If they overcome Real Madrid first in the second leg of their last 16 fixture in August, City will travel to Lisbon later that month to take part in a ‘mini-tournament’ between themselves and the remaining clubs from this season’s Champions League.
At this point, City will also know whether they will be in the competition for the next two years, as they will know whether they have been fined by UEFA for breaching Financial Fair Play. Whether or not the appeal has been successfully appealed through the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Regulations
City could find themselves banned from the Champions League until 2023 / ANP Sport/Getty Images
However, Silva has assured City supporters that the players will not let the issue of a potential European ban stand in the way of challenging for their first Champions League title.
“Of course, what happens with UEFA is an important matter. Nobody knows what’s going to happen, so we just have to think about what we can control now,” the Portuguese playmaker told the Daily Mirror. Said through.
“What we can control is to play the best in the competition. We must put all our energy into trying to win the Champions League.
“I think all the players are with the club and support what they are saying. We will do our best this year and not worry about anything else.”
Silva relishes the prospect of lifting the Champions League trophy in the city of his birth / Robbie J Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Silva added that the fact that the mini-tournament was being held in his home city of Lisbon – after Istanbul was forced to pull out of hosting the competition’s final due to the effects of Covid-19 – gave him an extra boost to claim his title. Encouraged. Hands on the trophy.
“This is a special competition and it is going to be a unique event in my hometown,” he added.
“Fighting for the title in my city means a lot because I missed the Euros four years ago when Portugal won the trophy and I was hoping to play in this summer’s tournament before the pandemic.”