The Digest:
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that Real Madrid's superior "ability and quality" proved decisive as his side suffered a 3-0 defeat in their Champions League last-16 first leg at the Bernabeu. Federico Valverde's first-half hat-trick gave Madrid a commanding advantage, leaving City with a mountain to climb ahead of the second leg at the Etihad. Guardiola told TNT Sports: "Real Madrid had the ability and the quality. It is what it is." Despite the heavy loss, he insisted his team performed better than the scoreline suggests: "I felt we were better than the result. Now is the time to recover. I had a feeling that we were better than the result said…but the result is here." The city has one week to prepare for the return fixture.
Key Points
- Guardiola admits Real Madrid's quality was decisive in the 3-0 win.
- Valverde hat-trick leaves City with huge deficit.
- "I felt we were better than the result," Guardiola insists.
- Second leg at Etihad in one week.
- City must overcome a three-goal deficit to advance.
Pep Guardiola tips his hat to Real Madrid's quality after a Bernabeu masterclass, admitting that sometimes, ability simply outshines effort.
Sources: TNT Sports Interview
