Bernardo Silva warns Man City stars of Real Madrid 'revenge' mission after treble hangover

Bernardo Silva admits Manchester City began the season with a hangover – but now have clear heads and are focused on winning a double treble.

City playmaker Bernardo conceded last season's treble triumph took its toll on Pep Guardiola's squad, so much so they lost their way at the start of this campaign. Guardiola's side were far from their imperious best in the first half of the season, but are now on a 27-game unbeaten run in all competitions as they look to create more history.

After Liverpool and Arsenal lost at the weekend, City have a two-point lead in the title race with six games left, and face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend. If City can get past Real Madrid tonight and go on to win a second straight treble, Silva agreed it would be hard to argue against them being the greatest club side of all time.

"Obviously the inspiration and motivation is there, because we know how well this team has done,” said Silva, who scored twice in City's 4-0 rout of Real last season. "From a team that won a Treble, that came back with a bit of a hangover but then have that hunger to go every three days, it's not easy.

"But we've given ourselves a chance. At the start of the season we had players injured, Rodri was suspended and big players had left, like Gundogan and Mahrez, and it's not easy for new players to adapt.

“There was a time when we weren't playing well, we weren't controlling games and conceding a lot of late goals, which is not normal for us. We managed to be more solid and since December we haven’t lost, so we're happy to get to this part of the season still fighting for the three most important competitions.

"We want to create that legacy. To win another Premier League, to make six in seven years - and four