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Guardiola Slams City’s Composure After Late Collapse Against Real Madrid

Posted : 12 February 2025

Pep Guardiola expressed frustration with Manchester City’s inability to defend a lead after Real Madrid scored twice late in their Champions League play-off first leg to secure a 3-2 victory. Despite leading on two occasions through Erling Haaland’s goals, City fell apart defensively in the final stages, with a string of errors leading to their undoing. Guardiola admitted that he has been unable to instill the necessary composure in his team to manage such situations, a recurring problem this season as late goals have become a consistent issue.

 

City have struggled to maintain their high standards this season, with late concessions becoming a trend. They have conceded eight goals in the last 15 minutes of their past five Champions League matches, including blown leads against Feyenoord and Paris Saint-Germain in the group stages. The latest collapse could prove costly for their hopes of reaching the last 16, with Madrid now in a strong position ahead of the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on February 19.

 

In the match at the Etihad, Haaland’s brace had put City ahead, with Kylian Mbappe equalizing for Madrid each time. However, defensive mistakes ultimately cost them. Ederson mishandled a clearance, allowing Brahim Diaz to equalize, and later, hesitant defending allowed Vinicius Junior to set up Jude Bellingham for a tap-in. Guardiola acknowledged that similar lapses had occurred earlier in the season, pointing to the need for his squad to take more responsibility when faced with such crucial moments.

 

City defender John Stones echoed Guardiola’s sentiments, expressing anger and frustration at the team’s inability to close out games. He stressed the need for accountability, with the manager urging the players to step up during difficult moments. Despite having a chance to take a 2-1 lead to Madrid, City’s inability to finish the job left them with a difficult task ahead. In contrast, Real Madrid, missing several key defenders, still managed to secure a well-deserved win, with coach Carlo Ancelotti praising his team’s defensive resilience despite the challenges.

 

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