Pep Guardiola accepted Manchester City had been outplayed as their Champions League campaign came to a limp end with a 3-1 defeat at Kylian Mbappe-inspired Real Madrid.
Mbappe scored a brilliant hat-trick in the second leg of their play-off at the Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday to power the holders into the last 16 6-3 on aggregate.
City had led the tie 2-1 heading into the closing minutes at the Etihad Stadium last week only to surrender their advantage.
Yet this time they were hardly in the contest as Real took charge with Mbappe’s opener on four minutes and the Frenchman ended all doubt with two more either side of the break.
City manager Guardiola said: “The plan was to extend the result that we brought from Manchester as long as possible but we conceded so early and with the injury to John (Stones) it was a little bit (more of) what has happened his season.
“We couldn’t defend well with the movement from Mbappe and it was more difficult.
“The best team won, they deserved it. They were better. What we have to do is accept the reality and move forward.”
Stones was forced off injured moments after Mbappe’s opener.
It was City’s second injury blow of the night after top scorer Erling Haaland, still troubled by the knee problem sustained against Newcastle on Saturday, failed to even make the starting line-up.
Guardiola said: “Erling yesterday tried to train after the last action against Newcastle. With the images we have done it was fine, but he had discomfort walking, for example up the stairs.
“We spoke and he said he wasn’t ready, he didn’t feel good.”
It is the third time in four seasons City have been beaten in a knockout tie by Real but the first time Guardiola felt defeat was deserved.
“In previous seasons when we were playing outstanding it hurt more than today,” said Guardiola, after his side mustered only a late consolation through Nico Gonzalez.
“I had the feeling we were better than them in the previous three seasons but this time they were better.”
Real’s victory firmly established their credentials as potential winners of the competition once again.
The holders struggled in the league phase but, on this performance, now look strong contenders to claim a 16th title.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti said: “We are in the fight for Champions League.
“We have fantastic quality up front but have had difficulties finding the right balance defensively.
“It seems we have found it and we have the possibility to compete until the end.
“We had a very good all game in all aspects – offensively, defensively, without the ball.”
[(SV Darmstadt 98) Strength]: 1. SV Darmstadt 98 finished 12th in the 2. Bundesliga last season and successfully avoided relegation. Facing the relegated team, VfL Bochum, they are eager to grab points in this home game.2. In the summer window, SV Darmstadt 98 signed forwards Serhat-Semih Guler, Bartosz Bialek, and Yosuke Furukawa, midfielders Hiroki Akiyama and Marco Richter, defenders Leon Klass...
[(Sarpsborg 08 FF) Strength]: 1. Daniel Karlsbakk scored 3 goals in the last 2 games, showing decent performances.2. Sarpsborg 08 FF scored 2 goals in both the previous matches, revealing impressive offense.3. Sarpsborg 08 FF were unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws in the previous 4 home games, showing reliable home strength.[(Sarpsborg 08 FF) Neutral]: 1. Sarpsborg 08 FF are now 8th with 22 points ...
[(SC Paderborn 07) Strength]: 1. SC Paderborn 07 failed to enter the promotion play-offs due to a 3-point deficit last season, but their overall performances were commendable.2. SC Paderborn 07 were unbeaten with 1 win and 2 draws in 3 warm-up matches lately, revealing stable form.3. SC Paderborn 07 scored 56 goals in 34 league games last season, boasting outstanding offense and reliable scoring a...
[(KuPS) Strength]: 1. KuPS are 4th in the table. They were just eliminated in the Champions League qualification and urgently need a win to boost their morale, indicating strong motivation in this game.2. KuPS won 4 home games in a row, showing strong home strength.3. KuPS have the upper hand with 4 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses in the last 10 encounters between both sides.[(KuPS) Neutral]: 1. KuPS ...
[(Kataller Toyama) Strength]: 1. The two sides have met three times in total, with Kataller Toyama achieving a record of one win and two draws, holding the upper hand.2. Kataller Toyama won 3 of their last 4 games in AH.[(Kataller Toyama) Neutral]: 1. The new head coach of Kataller Toyama, Ryo Adachi, has been in office for exactly two months. He shoulders the heavy responsibility of leading the t...
[(Karlsruher SC) Strength]: 1. Karlsruher SC's starting striker Budu Zivzivadze transferred to 1. FC Heidenheim in the offseason. The team's offensive burden will now fall on their starting forward Marvin Wanitzek.2. Karlsruher SC finished 8th in the league last season, but they were less than 10 points behind the top team, indicating that the team boast some potential to be a league spoiler.3. Ka...
[(Columbus Crew) Strength]: 1. Columbus Crew are in the top half of the MLS and hope to secure a good result in the Leagues Cup to enhance the team's honor and influence. The competition also provides an opportunity to train the squad and accumulate experience and confidence for future league and other matches, demonstrating strong winning motivation.2. Columbus Crew's outstanding forward Diego Ro...
[(Jubilo Iwata) Strength]: 1. Jubilo Iwata currently have 38 points and rank 7th in the league table. The team are just one step away from the promotion play-off zone and have a strong intention to grab points.2. Jubilo Iwata recently defeated Consadole Sapporo 5-1 in their last game, ending their losing streak and returning to the winning track.3. Jubilo Iwata have achieved a record of 8 wins, 1 ...
[(Tokushima Vortis) Strength]: 1. Tokushima Vortis are fighting for a direct promotion spot. Facing the bottom team of the league, Ehime FC, they are undoubtedly motivated to take points.2. Tokushima Vortis received 5 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses at home this season so far, with a win rate of 45.5%.[(Tokushima Vortis) Neutral]: 1. Tokushima Vortis conceded 5 goals in the last 5 games, demonstrating...
[(Oita Trinita) Neutral]: 1. Oita Trinita received 2 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses in the last 5 home games, with a win rate of 40%.2. Both sides only met once and got a draw, showing comparable mentalities.3. Oita Trinita ended 3 of the previous 4 games with UNDERs in O/U, with a declining OVER rate lately.[(Oita Trinita) Weakness]: 1. Oita Trinita lost 2-0 to FC Tokyo in the last Emperor's Cup game...
- 1 Phil Parkinson breaks silence on Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's shock bid to bring ex-Man Utd star Christian Eriksen to Wrexham
- 2 Loris Karius lifts lid on relationship with Diletta Leotta
- 3 Jack Grealish shares sweet holiday snaps as girlfriend stuns in a yellow maxi dress
- 4 Arsenal legend backs Premier League rivals to become next invincibles and take prestigious title from Gunners
- 5 Go Ahead Eagles star duo linked to Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers
- 6 Real Madrid Willing to Sell Rodrygo — But Only If Two Key Conditions Are Met
- 7 Man City boss Guardiola delivers definitive answer to Barcelona return question
- 8 Daily Laugh - Sesko & Man Utd in a nutshell
- 9 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 10 Liverpool ready "to go big" for wantaway Newcastle striker Isak