Guardiola stands by his decision in clash against Real Madrid

The decision by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola to substitute key players against Real Madrid was defended. Guardiola stated that Kevin De Bruyne, Manuel Akanji, and Erling Haaland claimed they couldn’t continue playing.

Manchester City’s hopes of a treble were dashed despite dominating their opponents at the Etihad. The match ended in a 1-1 draw after regular time and extra time, with Real Madrid advancing to the semi-finals after winning the shootout.

Guardiola justified his player substitutions by stating, “Erling [Haaland] and Kevin [De Bruyne] and Manu [Akanji] asked me to go out. They could not continue,” during his post-match conference.

Manchester City Midfielder Claims They Deserve To Go Through

Rodri believes Manchester City deserve to advance to the semi-finals despite their loss to Real Madrid. He expressed disappointment in the outcome but praised the opponent’s defensive prowess.

Looking ahead, Manchester City will face Chelsea in the Emirate FA Cup semi-final, aiming to bounce back from their Champions League disappointment.

What Next For Pep Guardiola And His Boys

Manchester City will shift their focus to the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea as they aim to salvage their season with a victory in the remaining competitions.

The upcoming match between Manchester City and Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final will determine which team advances to the final.