Home SPORTS Pep Guardiola Praises Manchester City's Resilience in 2-1 Win Over Real Madrid

Pep Guardiola Praises Manchester City's Resilience in 2-1 Win Over Real Madrid

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Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola lauds Manchester City's resilience and determination after 2-1 win over Real Madrid in Champions League.


“We’ve been here several times and played much, much better than today ‌and didn’t win...”
 

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has praised his team's resilience and determination after their 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. Despite a slow start, City fought back from a goal down to secure a crucial win in their Champions League group stage.


Guardiola admitted that his team was “second best” in the opening 30 minutes, but he commended their character and determination in coming back from a deficit. Nico O'Reilly's equalizer and Erling Haaland's penalty were crucial in turning the game around, with City showing greater composure after taking the lead.




Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden caused problems for Real Madrid's defense in the second half, and Guardiola singled out Doku for praise. The City manager is pleased with the result, but acknowledges that his team needs to improve, especially if they are to progress in the Champions League.


Pep Guardiola acknowledged that Manchester City was outplayed in the early stages of their Champions League match against Real Madrid, but he praised his team's character for bouncing back from a slow start. “In the first 25 minutes, until the goal from Nico, they were much better than us,” Guardiola said, but he was grateful for his team's resilience.




City looked vulnerable in the opening 30 minutes, with Real Madrid dominating possession and creating chances. However, Nico O'Reilly's equalizer and Erling Haaland's penalty turned the game around, securing a 2-1 win for the visitors. Guardiola highlighted Jeremy Doku's outstanding performance, saying he was “outstanding today, like other players too.”


“We’ve been here several times and played much, much better than today ‌and didn’t win,” Guardiola said of City’s previous visits to the Bernabeu. “In the first 25 minutes, until the goal from Nico, they were much better than us. I will take ‍the result but I know we need to be better. I know that in February and March, if we go through, ‍the level we require ‌is higher than today.”


Manchester City's victory over Real Madrid was a testament to their resilience and determination. After a shaky start, they turned the game around with Nico O'Reilly's equalizer and Erling Haaland's penalty, showcasing their composure under pressure.


Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden were instrumental in causing problems for Real's defense in the second half, with Doku receiving special praise from Pep Guardiola. Guardiola highlighted Doku's outstanding performance, acknowledging his impact on the game.




Guardiola's side showed greater control after taking the lead, with Doku and Foden exploiting gaps in Real's defense. Despite conceding early, City's response was impressive, and they secured a crucial 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu.


“Every ⁠time we lost the ball, they threatened, especially with Vinicius Jr, many, many times,” Guardiola said. “It was good to score a goal because it helped us get back into the game. Jeremy Doku was outstanding today, like other players too. It was a good experience for us being here, for many new players coming for the first time to this stadium, where it is so tough to play.


“I have to be so grateful to the players. I’m happy,” he added. “I’ve been here many ⁠times in these last few years. We’ve fought many battles, ‌and we’ve been much better than today but didn’t manage to win. This is a reality.”


Manchester City's fourth-place standing in the group with 13 points is a testament to their resilience, especially after Pep Guardiola's admission that they're not yet ready to win the Champions League. To secure a top-eight finish and direct qualification to the round of 16, City needs to maintain this momentum in their final two league-phase matches.


Guardiola's focus is on the present, emphasizing the importance of finishing strong and earning their place among the elite. With key players like Kevin De Bruyne nearing the end of their tenure, every match counts, and City's determination will be put to the test.



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