Pep Guardiola insisted there were no regrets after Manchester City’s bid to retain their Champions League crown ended in a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out loss to Real Madrid.
The holders were beaten 4-3 on spot-kicks by the Spanish giants after their quarter-final tie ended 4-4 on aggregate – 1-1 on the night – despite a dominant display from Guardiola’s side in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium.
City fell behind early to a Rodrygo goal but created a host of chances as they sought to regain control of the tie but Kevin De Bruyne’s 76th-minute equaliser was their only reward.
Manchester City v Real Madrid – UEFA Champions League – Quarter-Final – Second Leg – Etihad Stadium
City manager Guardiola said: “I would have preferred to win but congratulations to Real Madrid, they defended so deep with incredible solidarity and we did everything.
“I don’t have any regrets about what we have done. Always we try to create more chances and concede less, because we believe that helps you to win and we did everything.
“We played exceptionally in all departments and unfortunately we could not win.”
Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic both missed in the shoot-out, with the former’s effort proving a particularly comfortable save for Andriy Lunin.
Guardiola refused to blame the Portuguese for his failure to register.
He said: “Bernardo asked to take it, he’s a reliable player and decided to shoot in that way. What a game he had played. It happens.”
Guardiola also had no complaints about Real’s tactics, with the Spanish side forced to sit back and defend deep for much of the game.
“I don’t judge,” he said. “I’m not here to do this. It’s football. In this competition, that’s the way football happens.”
City’s loss also ended their hopes of winning a second successive treble and they must now pick themselves up for Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley.
Manchester City v Real Madrid – UEFA Champions League – Quarter-Final – Second Leg – Etihad Stadium
Guardiola said: “Now we will rest and on Friday we travel to London to play the game.
“We will see how people will react. Of course the recovery is easier when winning, rather than losing, but it is the semi-final of the FA Cup and we will try to compete as much as possible.”
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted the strength of City had forced them to soak up pressure and look to take the tie on penalties.
The veteran Italian said: “We defended really, really well. This was about survival. Madrid is a club based on always fighting to stay in situations where there seems to be no way out – but we always find a way.
“By the time the penalty shoot-out came, we were totally convinced we’d go through.
“This is about the only way you can come to City and win. You work, sacrifice and win however you can.”
hZindo
519
City have the best effectif and their bench is another a team, they played like they had 6 strikers, and yet the kings prevailed and knocked them out with a 32, 34 and 38 years old players and a bunch of youngsters with no striker and lots of players injured. Only Real Madrid can do that to the most dangerous team in the world right now, even if they were made by easy oil money they earned football fans respect. Only Real madrid can make such a wonderful history. 15TH UCL LOADING HALA MADRID Y NADA MAS
jimaceln
508
Xavi should learn from pep guardiola's response after the match💯👏👏👏
yasbkmnpuz
493
FRAUD CITY FRAUD CITY DOING THE TREMBLE NOW. . Good luck to Hell Madrid.
tobabknrtz
123
Real Madrid breaks records. Rodri 65 game without defeat is over. Man city 5 years without defeat at home is over. Reigning champions are 7 times knocked out by Real Madrid. Real have never lost two back to back Knock out stages against the same team in champions League. and money more. 💪💪💪