Pep Guardiola described Manchester City's 3-2 Champions League loss to Real Madrid as their best performance against the Spanish side, despite failing to hold their lead. He expressed frustration over recurring late-game setbacks but remains optimistic for the second leg, aiming for a strong response to stay in the tournament.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has described his team's 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League as their best performance against the Spanish giants, despite the disappointing result. After the match, Guardiola acknowledged his team’s strong start but expressed frustration over their inability to maintain the lead.
He noted that similar patterns had emerged in previous matches against Sporting, Brentford, and Manchester United, where City dominated but failed to see out the game. Guardiola emphasized that while the loss was painful, his team performed exceptionally well, considering the high quality of their opponents.
"We did many good things, but in crucial moments, we couldn’t hold on. It’s tough to accept," he admitted.
Despite the setback, Guardiola remains optimistic about the return leg, hoping for key players to recover and strengthen the squad. He reassured fans that City would fight for a comeback.
The loss puts pressure on City to deliver a strong performance in the second leg if they hope to advance in the tournament. With Madrid’s experience and resilience, Guardiola’s side will need to overcome both tactical and mental hurdles to progress further.
The match adds to the intense history between the two clubs in European competition, further fueling anticipation for the rematch. Fans now eagerly await City’s response in what promises to be another thrilling encounter.
