Guardiola comes to terms with Real Madrid’s brilliance after UCL elimination – ‘Best team won’ | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was left deeply disappointed after his team’s defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Spanish coach did not attempt to justify the loss by pointing to the numerous injuries that have plagued his squad throughout the season.

Instead, he accepted the reality of the situation and acknowledged that his side had fallen short against a far superior Real Madrid team.

Guardiola openly admitted that Real Madrid fully deserved their victory and the chance to progress further in the competition.

“The best team has won. Madrid deserve to be there. We have had a bad year in the competition. When you finish 22nd in the regular league, it’s because you haven’t been well,” he said after the match as quoted by SPORT.

Real Madrid’s superiority

The City boss was particularly vocal about the dominance Real Madrid displayed throughout the match.

He pointed out that his side could not match Madrid’s intensity, sharpness, and efficiency across all areas of the pitch.

Pep Guardiola admitted that Real Madrid were far better. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Guardiola emphasised that his initial plan was for City to control possession and dictate the tempo of the game, but Real Madrid’s quality made that nearly impossible.

“We don’t have the rhythm that Real Madrid have right now in all lines and in the box.

“Also, conceding the goal so early, and then the second, cost us a lot. We wanted to make long possessions, but it’s the year that I’ve met the best Real Madrid.”

Real Madrid’s strengths

Discussing the key strengths that made Real Madrid superior over the two legs, Guardiola highlighted their ability to dictate play, execute quick transitions, and maintain long spells of possession.

He accepted that City were simply not consistent enough this season and commended Real Madrid for their outstanding performance.

Despite the defeat, he made it clear that it was not a matter of City being powerless but rather a reflection of Madrid’s quality and City’s lack of rhythm.

“They have been better, with the ability to run, to have long possessions… We must congratulate them. It is not a question of impotence. We have been a great team and this year, for many reasons, we have lost consistency,” he admitted.