Guardiola Expresses Disappointment After Real Madrid’s Stoppage Time Comeback

Manchester City manager reflects on another late collapse as Los Blancos snatch a 3-2 victory in Champions League play-off.

Real Madrid delivered yet another unforgettable European comeback on Tuesday night, overturning a two-goal deficit to beat Manchester City 3-2 in stoppage time. The win gave them a crucial advantage going into the second leg of their Champions League play-off at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, as impressive as Los Blancos’ resilience was, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could not hide his frustration with his own team’s performance.

City, who have repeatedly squandered winning positions late in matches this season, were on the brink of victory after Erling Haaland converted a penalty in the final 15 minutes. But Real Madrid swiftly responded with goals from Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham to claim the victory.

“It has happened many times because I can’t find the solution. It has happened many times. It has been the year that Madrid has been better, we had a good result and we have let it go,” Guardiola lamented to Diario AS after the match.

While acknowledging that City had been in control for much of the game, Guardiola admitted that their inability to close out matches remains a recurring issue.

“There is a lower chance of going through than before the tie started, of course. The match was even. Sometimes the team is better and things don’t work out. We started well, we were good with the ball. In the second half we didn’t find the passes we needed. After 2-1, what has happened many times this season happened. We give it away. At this level, it is very difficult. It’s not the first time unfortunately.”

Guardiola struggled to pinpoint a solution for his team’s late collapses, acknowledging that poor decision-making, including two giveaways in their own half, led directly to Madrid’s goals.

“We have talked about it, it is difficult to handle, but the fact is that it happens to us a lot. When you win 2-1, you don’t know whether to go forward or drop back, it’s normal. The players made their decisions in the moment and sometimes they work out and sometimes they don’t. We will try to improve for other games.”

Despite the loss, Guardiola did offer credit to Real Madrid, praising their performance as one of their best in recent encounters.

“Madrid played very well, they had chances, they linked up better than in other games. We didn’t know how to handle it. We could have won, but we couldn’t hold onto the result. I have been here for many years and we have been an extraordinary team, but right now I am not able to handle this situation. It happens to us a lot.”

“It is always misunderstood, but of all the games we have played, it has been their best against us.”