Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was left disappointed after his side twice let the lead slip before suffering a 3-2 Champions League play-off first leg defeat at home to Real Madrid on Tuesday.
City twice took the lead against the reigning European champions through Erling Haaland with Kylian Mbappe striking in-between for the visitors.
But with City looking set for victory, the game then turned on its head in the last five minutes with first former City youngster Brahim Diaz drawing Madrid level again before Jude Bellingham then claimed an injury time winner for the Spaniards.
Speaking after the game, Guardiola said it was tough seeing the lead his players had worked so hard to achieve slip away so late on.
“It’s the fourth time we played in a row against Madrid here and in the three previous we were much, much better than them but today was tight and in certain times they had chances and Ederson was our best player,” Pep reflected.
“Sometimes it happens that a team is better and the result doesn’t work.
“I think they started well for 15 minutes and after we took the game and we were really good with the ball.
“In the second half, we could not make the passes that we needed to play. We wanted to attack so quickly but when we attack so quick with the strikers that they have it’s more difficult.
“After it was 2-1 but it happened too much this season. In many games it happened, against Feyernoord, Sporting Lisbon, Brentford in the Premier League Man United, many games we gave away.
“We have to look at ourselves and at this level it’s so difficult. It’s not the first time unfortunately it happened many times and that’s why it’s so difficult.”
Guardiola added that all was not gloom as there were some positives from his team during the night.
“There are many good things. We know who we are playing. But the result is what it is and that is why we’re here,” commented Guardiola.
