Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola praised his team’s grit and determination after they secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against Real Madrid in their Champions League clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
The match commenced with City facing difficulties, struggling to handle Real Madrid’s fervent offensive play. An early goal from Rodrygo put the home side in the lead, but City responded with an equalizer from Nico O’Reilly and later took control of the game with a penalty converted by Erling Haaland, ultimately earning three vital points in the group stage.
Guardiola candidly noted that his team did not perform at their best initially. “We’ve been here several times and played much better than today without winning,” he stated, reflecting on previous encounters at the Bernabeu. He acknowledged, “In the first 25 minutes, they were much better than us,” while expressing his relief at the final result but also recognizing the need for improvement.
After the equalizer, City gained confidence, with key players like Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden causing real problems for the Real Madrid defense in the second half. Guardiola specifically commended Doku’s performance, along with noting the constant threat posed by Real’s Vinicius Jr throughout the match.
Expressing his appreciation for his squad, Guardiola remarked, “I have to be so grateful to the players. I’m happy. This is a good experience for us, especially for many new players who are here for the first time at such a challenging venue.”
Following this important victory, Manchester City is positioned fourth in their group standings with 13 points. Guardiola remains hopeful that this demonstration of resilience will transition into the final two matches of the group phase, as the team aims for a top-eight finish and direct entry into the knockout stage of the tournament. This triumphant moment serves as an encouraging sign for City as they continue their pursuit of Champions League success.