Guardiola explains what went wrong for Man City vs Real Madrid – ‘Emotions started to get the better of us’ | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola remains confident that his team can still challenge Real Madrid in their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie despite a heavy defeat in the first leg.

City suffered a 3-0 loss at Santiago Bernabeu, leaving them with a difficult task ahead in the return leg. 

The result placed Real Madrid in a commanding position in the tie, but Guardiola insists the contest is far from over.

Speaking to the media ahead of City’s Premier League trip to West Ham United, the Spanish coach struck a determined tone when discussing the upcoming second leg.

Guardiola acknowledged that many have already written off Manchester City’s chances of progressing, but he suggested that the team still has an opportunity to fight back.

“Not many people have bet big money that we’ll come back, so we’ll see on Tuesday,” he remarked, as quoted by MARCA.

“I’ve lost many times in the Champions League knockout stages, countless times. I’ve been torn apart over refereeing decisions and what happened. 

“It’s not the first time. Even so, I’m still here, in this position, until the very last day,” he added.

Reviewing the match

Guardiola is still hopeful. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Despite the scoreline in Madrid, Guardiola insisted that he was not entirely disappointed with the way his team performed during certain periods of the match.

Revisiting his view of the game at the Bernabeu, the City manager explained that there were moments where his team showed strong attacking intent.

“I have an opinion about the game in Madrid, and it’s not going to change. We did some very, very good things. And in other areas, we could have done better, yes, of course.”

Guardiola went on to highlight the opening phase of the match, suggesting that Manchester City had started strongly before Real Madrid took control.

“The first 19 or 20 minutes, before the first goal, were exceptional, among the best we’ve played at the Bernabeu in terms of ‘We’re here to create danger.’ 

“We were a threat! But then, the emotions started to get the better of us.”

The City manager also addressed one of the moments of the match involving goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Vinicius Jr.

Guardiola questioned the decision to award a penalty after Donnarumma’s challenge on the Real Madrid winger. “Gigio touched the ball. It wasn’t a penalty,” he stressed.