Home » Guardiola “accepts reality” as Man City exits at Champions League

Guardiola “accepts reality” as Man City exits at Champions League

Pep Guardiola said he “accepts reality” after Manchester City was knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid.

Visit SportsMania for more football news and updates.

Check out M88 Mansion’s best offers here.

City must finish top-four in Premier League

City’s elimination against Madrid marked the first time the Spanish boss failed to reach the Round of 16 in his coaching career.

Guardiola’s side had no answer to Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in Madrid’s 3-1 second-leg win, sealing a 6-3 aggregate victory.

With City now out of the competition and 17 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, Guardiola said his team must now focus on securing a top-four finish in England’s top flight.

“We couldn’t defend well with the movement from Mbappé and it was more difficult,” Guardiola said. “The best team won, they deserve it.”

“We have always done a group stage in Champions League seasons — finals, semifinals, but this season in all competitions we have not been good.”

“I have the feeling we were better than Real in the previous three seasons, but this time they were better. They deserve it. What we have to do is accept it and move forward.”

“We have 13 games in the Premier League to try and be here next season. Nothing is eternal.”

“We have been unbelievable and we have to try. We cannot win the league and we have to be in the top four or top five to try to be here again.”

Guardiola “accepts reality”

City have faced Madrid four times in the Champions League knockout stages since 2020, winning two ties and losing two, including this one.

However, Guardiola said this defeat hurt less than previous losses to Madrid because his side was unable to compete over both legs.

“It’s ok to accept the reality that they were better,” Guardiola said. “In previous seasons when we were playing outstanding, it hurts more than today.”

“I always ask of my teams that the team who deserves to win wins all the time but that doesn’t happen in football.”

“It’s the reality, so we must reflect on the good things we have done. “We have time to think about it [the team’s future]. Now it’s easy to say, but it’s not the point.”

“Losing 2-3 at home was hard to swallow, but even with a good result, I know how good they are. With time, the team and club will accept what it is.”