Guardiola accused of giving up: “It was the first time…”
Manchester City lost at the Bernabéu and said goodbye to the UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid comfortably beat Manchester City (3-1) in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages , with a show from Mbappé , who scored a hat-trick. The Citizens reacted, also because the Merengues slowed down, in the final stretch and reduced the deficit through former FC Porto player Nico González .
Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has criticised Pep Guardiola, who he accuses of giving up on the tie.
“It was the first time we saw a Manchester City team under Guardiola almost give up, waiting for the final whistle. This proves what they achieved during Guardiola’s reign,” he began by saying, in statements to TNT Sports .
“There were many moments when you think that this is not the identity of a Guardiola team and the Real Madrid game was an example of that. I don’t take away Real Madrid’s merit. They are a formidable team, they are getting into gear and they took on Manchester City without any confidence,” he added.
Furthermore, Guardiola acknowledged the end of a cycle and the need to renew the team.
“I didn’t feel helpless watching the team. We have been a strong team and for various reasons this year we are not. We have achieved unique things in our country and, in Europe, we have won once and we are always in the decisive stages. We need to make decisions in the team to be able to reach fourth or fifth and be in the UEFA Champions League next year. Not everything is eternal, there are players who are already of a certain age. In the Premier League we have won, we want to be in the UEFA Champions League. The reinforcements arrived at the best time,” he pointed out.
