Pep Guardiola conceded Manchester City did not deserve to go through in their Champions League knockout phase playoff tie against Real Madrid, after being beaten 3-1 in the second leg.
Guardiola watched on as Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick gave the defending champions a 6-3 aggregate victory, booking their place in the last 16.
For the first time in his managerial career, Guardiola has seen his side eliminated from the Champions League prior to the round of 16 (this being his 16th campaign).
It was also the Citizens' 13th defeat of the season across all competitions, the most ever by a side managed by the Spaniard (who had previously lost 12 in 2019-20).
City were outclassed at the Bernabeu, registering an expected goals (xG) total of 1.38 to Madrid's 1.82, with the visitors not registering their first shot on target until the 75th minute.
"After we conceded the goal in the first action, we didn't defend well, it was more and more difficult," Guardiola told TNT Sports. "We have to accept it, the best team won, so congratulations to Real Madrid. Now, we are focusing on the Premier League.
"It's a fantastic team, they deserve to go through. We didn't deserve it, it's the first year we didn't have a good Champions League season.
"We have to accept it and fight for next season to be here again. Of course, Real Madrid are contenders to win the Champions League, but there are other good teams around."
Indeed, Wednesday's defeat saw Guardiola lose both legs of a Champions League knockout stage tie for just the third time.
Two of those losses have come at the hands of Madrid, having lost in the 2013-14 semi-finals and on Wednesday, along with Liverpool back in the 2017-18 quarter-finals.
And it is Arne Slot's side up next for City this weekend, with both teams looking to respond from their midweek results, after Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw by Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Haris7Khan7
0
if a Madrid player doesn't win it is rigged but when Ronaldo and modric won it you all were happy hypocrite
mate go back and see who performed well that year... for me the candidates were only Ronaldo and Messi...
Litelntz
0
and that's that nothing more to it
Blaqpablo
0
gotta admit, the moment I saw pep's line, I knew they'd get outclassed. No Haaland, no de bruyne, no grealish, no doku.. that was a walk in the park for Madrid
When I saw the line up I just stayed back home an played a movie instead I knew it was a walk in the park...Went to watch the match in the 71st minutes that was when I was done with the movie
Blaqpablo
0
You killed the game with your wrong line up ๐ฎ๐ฎ
Same way you cried when Barcelona defeated away and far away from home 9 - 2 ๐๐๐
Blaqpablo
0
this man is absolutely mad...average coach
Who is an average coach cos of one bad season out of 15 guy they calm down abeg
Blaqpablo
0
they don't need rigged di Or to prove they are the best.
if a Madrid player doesn't win it is rigged but when Ronaldo and modric won it you all were happy hypocrite
zeydeklmtu
0
They were also lucky to be in the play Offs in the first place, they are free falling
Boller
0
Zizou is the man for City
kidabdiklo
0
Rodri with his rigged ballon d or
[image]
know their the best but be real or honest Mbappe keeped his head down
Hubby2030
1
pep lose confidence ๐
Haris7Khan7
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Mbappe is ready for Ballon dor before Vini jnr just saying
they don't need rigged di Or to prove they are the best.
Teenobby
1
I hope Rodri and those fools could still post up banners to ridicule VINI JR and his BALLON DOR SNUB.[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Of course, when Mbappe wins Ballon dO'r him, Vini will cry again.
kidabdiklo
1
Mbappe for Ballon dor before Vini let see if he Goin to cry again
kidabdiklo
0
Rodri with his rigged ballon d or
[image]
Mbappe is ready for Ballon dor before Vini jnr just saying
themainman
1
You killed the game with your wrong line up ๐ฎ๐ฎ
gotta admit, the moment I saw pep's line, I knew they'd get outclassed. No Haaland, no de bruyne, no grealish, no doku.. that was a walk in the park for Madrid
AdrianShion
1
he throwing the game with his gamble. should have thrown in your best players to rescue the game
Haris7Khan7
1
Rodri with his rigged ballon d or
Haris7Khan7
2
Citizen's nightmare [Crylaugh]
Mutbdinprs
0
this man is absolutely mad...average coach
jamdun009
0
WHAT DOKU NEEDS TO DO TO GET A GAME.
Seddekoprt
1
I hope Rodri and those fools could still post up banners to ridicule VINI JR and his BALLON DOR SNUB.[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
your team is no good go and hype on Barcelona
Seddekoprt
0
pep sell the game a gain to his country
catbdeikpz
0
Not only the line up, but the pattern is also very stupid. One major weakness of Pep's system is lack of defending skill. How Pep makes such an awful pattern?
Pakdikmz
5
I hope Rodri and those fools could still post up banners to ridicule VINI JR and his BALLON DOR SNUB.[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
UEFAchampions
1
Go to sleep, you must have cried enough ๐
๐๐๐๐ You're wicked
nuyaeinopu
2
You killed the game with your wrong line up ๐ฎ๐ฎ
Go to sleep, you must have cried enough ๐
BarcaCitehhh
1
You killed the game with your wrong line up ๐ฎ๐ฎ