“A fantastic way to lose” – Pep Guardiola reflects on Manchester City shoot-out defeat to Real Madrid

Redaction Simon Brett with Harry Winters
Published on 2024-04-18 16:00:00

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reflected on the team’s agonizing penalty shoot-out loss to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, resulting in their exit at the last-eight stage. Despite dominating the game with 33 attempts and 68% possession, Real Madrid emerged victorious on penalties, with Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic missing crucial shots. The Cityzens’ unbeaten run was extended to a record 28 matches, and they remain unbeaten at the Etihad Stadium in 42 games.

Guardiola praised his players for their exceptional performance in the match and expressed his disappointment at the loss, stating that they did everything they could to secure a win. Despite the defeat, Guardiola emphasized his gratitude towards the team and their efforts on the pitch. Manchester City has the opportunity to win two more trophies this season, with the semi-finals of the Emirates FA Cup against Chelsea and a close race for the Premier League title against Arsenal and Liverpool.

Despite their exit in the Champions League, Guardiola remains optimistic about Manchester City’s chances for success in the remaining competitions this season. The team has already clinched the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup, and Guardiola believes they have shown they can compete against top clubs. The focus now shifts to the FA Cup semi-final and the Premier League title race where Manchester City has a chance to further solidify their position as a top team in English football.

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