Bernardo Silva believes Manchester City have emerged from dark times

Bernardo Silva believes that Manchester City has now emerged from the "dark period" at the end of 2024, but the team's situation is still "imperfect" because the success or failure of their season now depends on whether they can reverse Real Madrid in the second round of the Champions League, and the Premier League title is basically hopeless.

Silva described the team as being in a "dark moment" in November last year when City suffered a 4-1 defeat to Sporting CP in the Champions League and endured a seven-match winless streak, but the 30-year-old Portuguese midfielder insists things have improved.

Although Manchester City's form is still up and down, first lost 2-3 to Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, but then beat Newcastle 4-0 in the Premier League. However, Silva firmly believes that the team can reverse the one-goal disadvantage at the Bernabeu on Wednesday and save the season.

Speaking about his previous "dark moment" remarks, Silva said: "When a team is as successful as we have been in the past seven or eight years, it is difficult to accept a few defeats.

"We are not used to losing and we cannot accept not winning. It was frustrating at the time but now the team is in better shape than it was then, although it is still not perfect, especially in terms of results.

"But at least I don't feel like we're in the dark anymore, as we did last November."

Although Manchester City still has a chance to advance to the Champions League semi-finals and successfully reversed the League One team Leyton Orient in the FA Cup to avoid an upset, Silva admitted that the team's success or failure this season is entirely dependent on the result of the second leg of the Champions League against Real Madrid.

He added: "I don't think my teammates need extra motivation to face this kind of game and opponent. It will be a special battle."

"After many twists and turns in the season, we know very well that if we can't win the most important Premier League title, the opportunity of the Champions League will be even more precious, which is a great motivation for us."

"We are in a more difficult situation now than in the first leg because we are at a disadvantage with the home defeat. But we still believe we can do it, even though we are facing a strong team that always creates special moments in this competition."

"We are convinced that we can cause problems for Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, even though they are a top club."