Manchester City were outclassed by Real Madrid as the end of an era has arrived | OneFootball

Manchester City suffered another late collapse as they went down 3-2 to Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium last night. Individual errors once again cost Pep Guardiola’s side as they squandered a late lead to go down to a demoralising defeat. While City’s individual errors and the late collapse got the headlines, in the cool light of day, it was obvious that Manchester City were outclassed by Carlo Ancelotti’s side. That’s not a stretch and the statistics and action on the pitch told the story of the night.

Looking at the statistics following last night’s match they back up what your eyes told you watching the game. Real Madrid had the better chances and Manchester City had their moments. But over the course of 90 minutes Carlo Ancelotti’s side did deserve their victory. The fact that it took so long for Real Madrid to break Pep Guardiola’s sideis a testament to Manchester City’s fighting spirit. But in the end that gave in as individual errors took over.

READ MORE: It’s the players that Pep Guardiola trusts the most that are letting City down.

Ederson made a host of good saves to deny Real Madrid throughout last night’s match. But unfortunately, his late horror show undid all of his previous good work. But the fact that Ederson kept City in the game tells you how the game went. Pep Guardiola’s side has their moments in possession but they couldn’t effectively get at the makeshift Madrid defence. Outside of Erling Haaland’s goal, a Phil Foden strike and the penalty Haaland converted City were essentially toothless in the final third. They didn’t have the polish in the final third of Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior were too much for Manchester City’s defence. As the game wore on, Jude Bellingham grew into the game as City’s older legs faltered. There was a difference in class between the two teams that were on show. Come the final whistle that coupled with City’s individual errors cost them dearly.

Real Madrid deserved their victory at the Etihad last night. If it wasn’t for Ederson and some desperate defending they may have put City to the sword. But come the final whistle you did sense that the end of an era has well and truly arrived at Manchester City. We have known that for some time now. But watching Pep Guardiola’s side be outclassed by a team they’ve beaten and pushed all the way in recent seasons was a stark reminder of this fact.