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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has explained his side's disappointing collapse against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League playoffs.
Pep Guardiola was stunned beyond words after watching his Manchester City team lose 3-2 against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie.
City were actually in the driving seat, with Erling Haaland scoring an impressive brace but they failed to hold on to their lead twice, and it proved costly.
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23:00 - 11.02.2025
Bellingham completes remarkable comeback as miracle Madrid take advantage away from Etihad
Real Madrid beat Manchester City at the Etihad to take an advantage into the second-leg of their UCL play-off tie.
Kylian Mbappe, Brahim Diaz, and Jude Bellingham all scored for Madrid, securing a crucial advantage ahead of the second leg at the Bernabeu.
Reflecting on the game, Guardiola pinpointed "bad decisions" as the key factor behind City's defeat.
"Many times it happens this season," he said (via NBC)
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"I know the quality of Real Madrid. We took the game in the second half and tried to attack too quick."
Guardiola acknowledged that Madrid's exceptional quality played a significant role in City's struggles. "It happens because they are an exceptional team," he added.
"This has happened to us many times this season. Bad decisions, that's all," he said.
When asked about the impact of injuries on City's performance, Guardiola took responsibility for the team's mistakes.
"I take it. It's not about you and me, it's everyone. Yeah, that is all season [injuries]. But we know it."
The City boss must pick his players up quickly ahead of big games against Newcastle and the return leg against Carlo Ancelotti's men at the Bernabeu.
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