Bernardo Silva: Without this rule change, we'd have knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions League

Portuguese player Bernardo Silva of Manchester City expressed his disappointment about the team's elimination from the Champions League against Real Madrid, saying they did not deserve to exit in such a manner.

In the latest episode of Manchester City's official podcast, Silva stated: “We were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid, but our fans still applauded us after the match. They recognized that we gave everything we had to progress, but that’s football.”

He continued: "Had the away goal rule been in effect this season, we would have qualified over Real Madrid. We faced a similar situation against Tottenham a few years ago, which is frustrating."

Silva also mentioned: "I understand the decision to abolish the away goal rule. Now, teams play more openly, unlike before when home teams focused on not conceding goals, which wasn’t beneficial for the game. Now, teams are more competitive."

Despite the disappointment, Silva highlighted the unwavering support from City fans: “This connection is crucial for winning titles, and the incredible support we receive from the fans has been instrumental in our success over the past seven seasons.”

Reflecting on his career with City since joining in 2017, he said: “It’s a dream come true. I never expected to win so many titles. Winning the Premier League multiple times is incredibly challenging. I couldn’t ask for more from the club, the staff, and the fans.”

He concluded: “Fans are everywhere, and they want to see the team show passion and fight for their club. That’s the most important thing. We strive to represent them well because, without the fans, football is nothing. They understand that even when we lose, we give everything we have.”