Guardiola takes responsibility for City’s Champions League defeat

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola addressed the media after his team’s 3-2 loss to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League playoff round on Tuesday.

City seemed poised for a first-leg win when Erling Haaland converted a penalty in the 80th minute, but late goals from Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham turned the tide in favor of the visitors.

Haaland had initially put City ahead in the first half, but Kylian Mbappe leveled the score for Real Madrid in the 60th minute.

The return leg is scheduled for Wednesday, February 19, at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid.

Real Madrid’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti also spoke to the media after his team’s 3-2 triumph over Manchester City in the same playoff round.

Pep Guardiola’s squad appeared to be on track for a first-leg victory when Erling Haaland scored from the penalty spot in the 80th minute, but late strikes from Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham clinched the win for Real.

Earlier, Haaland had given City the lead in the first half, only for Kylian Mbappe to equalize for the Spanish side shortly after the hour mark.

The second leg will take place on Wednesday, February 19, at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

By Dominic Wabwireh