Pep Guardiola: Real Madrid were Superior on the Field
Pep Guardiola has admitted that Real Madrid were superior on the field than his City players. Pep Guardiola reflected on Manchester City’s painful exit from the UEFA Champions League, acknowledging Real Madrid’s superiority in a brutally honest post-match interview. Speaking after the defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu, the City manager admitted that his side struggled to cope with the intensity, physicality, and rhythm that Madrid brought to the game.
“We could not deal with the physicality and rhythm they have,” Guardiola said. “That’s why we had a lot of calm with the ball. But we conceded in the first action, didn’t defend well at the back, so it’s more difficult. Accept it, the best team won. Congratulations to Real Madrid, and now we focus on our Premier League.”
It was a rare admission from the Spanish tactician, who is known for his meticulous game plans and tactical dominance. Despite City’s control of possession, Madrid’s ability to transition quickly and capitalize on key moments proved decisive. The defending champions were caught out early, and that set the tone for the rest of the match.
While City tried to impose their usual passing game, they found themselves stifled by Madrid’s organization and aggressive pressing. Guardiola’s decision to keep possession and slow the game down was a strategic approach, but Madrid’s efficiency in front of goal and defensive resilience made the difference.
This defeat marks another frustrating European exit for Guardiola’s City, despite their success in the competition last season. Now, with the Champions League dream over, City must shift their focus back to the Premier League, where they remain in a tight title race. With crucial fixtures ahead, Guardiola will be keen to ensure his players quickly recover from this setback and continue their domestic dominance.
Can City bounce back and retain the Premier League title, or will this defeat affect their momentum in the final stretch of the season?