Guardiola furious with referee after late penalty decision costs Man City | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola was left furious after a late penalty decision cost Manchester City two points in the Champions League against Monaco.

An Erling Haaland brace had given his side a 2-1 lead before half-time, which was maintained until the final minutes. City were cruising to a valuable three points away from home in the Champions League, but they were denied at the death.

Substitute Nico Gonzalez raised his foot and flicked the ball clear after a Monaco cross. Simultaneously, Eric Dier lowered his head towards the ball and his face met the Spaniard’s leg.

After a lengthy VAR check – and two coaches being shown red cards – the referee overturned his original decision and awarded the penalty.

The former Spurs man stepped up and slotted the spot kick past Gianluigi Donnarumma, ensuring that the points were shared.

“Nothing to say to Spanish referees,” Guardiola fumed.

“We played a really good game. We always try to create more chances and concede few and that’s what happened.

“They have fast players with their physicality so strong, but we conceded few and we created a lot of chances considering it is the Champions League and I’m really pleased for that.”

The Catalans frustrations with the outcome were evident. He continued: “Of course, we were close but at the end we could not defend the free-kick well and we conceded the penalty.

“In football you have to win with the result. If you analyse the game there were many things that were good.”

City dominated the match and came close to extending their lead on a number of occasions. Monaco’s goalkeeper, Philipp Kohn, produced a number of fine stops and both Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders were denied by the woodwork.

Guardiola reflected: “Step by step we will be better but we had many chances and Phil in the first half and many players played really good. We conceded almost nothing.

“When it’s close, you have to defend and we take the point.”