The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)

City’ s double-treble quest inspires Silva

- BY ANDY HAMPSON

Bernardo Silva is motivated by the prospect of making history as Manchester City chase an unpreceden­ted second successive treble.

City have put themselves in a strong position to retain the three trophies they won last year after taking control of the Premier League title race at the weekend.

Pep Guardiola’s side are now two points clear of rivals Arsenal and Liverpool with six games remaining.

Their attention now switches to the Champions League and the second leg of a quarter-final tie against Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium tonight that will begin with the aggregate score at 3-3.

They then head to Wembley on Saturday for an FA Cup semi-final date with Chelsea.

Midfielder Silva said of City’s triple target: “Of course, it’s obviously (an) inspiratio­n and motivation.

“We want to create that legacy and win another Premier League, to do six in seven years and four in a row. And we want to win the Champions League, to do two in a row, that only Madrid did (with) three in a row. No one else has won consecutiv­e Champions Leagues.

“If we can win two trebles in a row, that no one did, that would be legacy. That is definitely motivation.

“It’s difficult as in one week we could be out of all the competitio­ns, but we are going to do everything in our power to be a step closer to that goal.”

Manager Pep Guardiola was more circumspec­t in detailing his ambitions but made clear his team will be giving everything to achieve the maximum.

He said: “I am not going to say don’t feel this to my players when they feel this, but I have a different opinion. We are far away from those dreams.

“When we are in the final of the FA Cup, and (have) two or three games (to go in the Premier League) with an advantage, and in the final of the Champions League, I will start to think about that. But not before a game against Real Madrid.

“The success for me this season is that we are still there, in this position four or five weeks away, still in contention. It’s incredible.

“Now, extend the chance one more week, then one more week. This is what we try to do tomorrow and Saturday and the next games.”

Guardiola, as a former Barcelona captain and manager, has had a fierce rivalry with Real Madrid throughout his career.

“Real Madrid in this competitio­n is always a big game,” he said. “It’s been special for me as a player and manager, but that doesn’t count.

“What counts is what we have to do to win. I don’t fear them but I respect them a lot.”

City hope to have Kyle Walker back after five games out with a hamstring injury.

 ?? ?? HISTORY: Bernardo Silva is looking to clinch unpreceden­ted back-to-back trebles.
HISTORY: Bernardo Silva is looking to clinch unpreceden­ted back-to-back trebles.

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