Real Madrid Players Mock Manchester City Over Pitch Complaints: “No Excuses Now”
Veterans recall past comments from Pep Guardiola ahead of Champions League clash at the Etihad Stadium
The rivalry between Real Madrid and Manchester City has become a modern Champions League classic, with repeated high-stakes encounters in recent years. But beyond the football, there are also lingering tensions — including past complaints about pitch conditions.
Ahead of their latest showdown, several Real Madrid players appeared to take subtle jabs at Manchester City and their manager Pep Guardiola over previous remarks about the state of the grass.
Locker room jokes during training
During their training session at the Etihad Stadium, some of Madrid’s more experienced players — including Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, and Thibaut Courtois — reportedly joked about the pitch.
According to sources close to the club, players humorously referenced Guardiola’s past complaints, asking: “So, how’s the pitch — good or bad?” The comments were a clear nod to previous encounters where City figures had pointed to the playing surface as a factor.
The remarks underline Madrid’s motivation to eliminate their English rivals and settle old scores.
Guardiola’s past criticism remembered
The comments date back to a Champions League tie two years ago. After a dramatic clash — which included a 3-3 draw at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and eventual progression for Madrid on penalties, with a standout performance by Andriy Lunin — Guardiola criticized the condition of the pitch.
He praised the stadium’s renovation but suggested the grass needed improvement, implying it had impacted the match.
Excuses resurface this season
Similar narratives have appeared again this season. After a heavy defeat in the first leg — highlighted by a standout performance from Federico Valverde — Guardiola downplayed the result, insisting his team had performed better than the scoreline suggested.
Statements such as “the match wasn’t as bad as the result shows” and “we played quite well” were seen by some as avoiding acknowledgment of Madrid’s superiority.
No room for excuses this time
Now, with the decisive second leg taking place in Manchester, Real Madrid players believe there is no room left for external explanations — including pitch conditions.
For them, the message is simple: this time, everything will be decided purely on the pitch — no excuses.
