‘If Real Madrid can score three, why can’t we?’ – Jeremy Doku fires warning

Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku has insisted that last night’s 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie could have been far more punishing.

Fede Valverde’s hat-trick secured a commanding advantage for the Spanish giants, leaving City with a steep uphill battle ahead of the return leg at the Etihad Stadium.

Doku, speaking after the match, acknowledged the challenge of facing a team like Real Madrid.

“Against teams like Real Madrid you know that as soon as you lose the ball that they’re just waiting to play a counter attack and then they score,” he said. Yet, he believes City’s chances remain alive, citing missed opportunities that could have shifted momentum.

“They scored three goals and then it’s difficult to come back because they played very defensively, but I feel like if we scored the first chances that we had it’s a different game.”

The Belgian international also praised goalkeeper Gigio Donnarumma, whose penalty save prevented an even heavier deficit.

“(Donnarumma’s penalty save) helped us massively, we’re still confident,” Doku said. His remarks underline City’s belief that the tie is far from over, especially with the backing of their fans at the Etihad.

Looking ahead, Doku emphasized that City’s qualities and team spirit give them hope.

“Obviously we have a game against West Ham before, but we trust our qualities and we know that at the Etihad it’s also a different game,” he added. With a three-goal deficit to overturn, the winger is urging supporters to rally behind the team, posing a defiant question: “We’ll need our fans to help us and if they can score three goals why can’t we?”