Guardiola defends team selection after Real Madrid thrash Man City | OneFootball

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has defended his team selection after his side were defeated 3-0 by Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16.

City went into the match at the Bernabeu as favourites against a Madrid side that was missing a number of key men. However, a first half hat-trick from Fede Valverde fired the hosts to victory.

It could have been worse for Guardiola’s side too, as Vinicius Junior had a second half penalty saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma. “3-0 is better than 4-0,” conceded City’s boss. “Tough result, we cannot deny it.”

Guardiola’s team selection has drawn some questions. The Catalan started three wingers, dropped Nico O’Reilly to left-back from midfield and left Matheus Nunes on the bench.

“No, not much changes,” he said in defence of his team selection. “More changes was in Newcastle. In the last games, most of these players played.

“I wanted to be aggressive from the outside, the one-against-ones, especially Jeremy who was outstanding. From the right we struggled a little bit more.”

The coach continued: “Listen, how many times did Nico O’Reilly play left-back this season? How many?

“The only adjustment was Khusanov because Vinicius moves in that area, and we wanted a guy who doesn’t think much to attack.”

City will now have to overturn a three-goal deficit when they host Madrid in the second leg in less than a week. Asked about the likelihood of succeeding in that, Guardiola answered: “Right now, not much. Of course, we are going to try.”