Manchester City and Real Madrid delivered yet another Champions League classic on Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium. As both teams struggled with inconsistency prior to the clash, it was hard to predict who would come out on top this time. As it happened, it was Madrid who made the most of the errors made by Pep Guardiola's side and through a clinical display won the first leg of the playoff with the scoreline of 3-2.
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Real Madrid Beat Manchester City 3-2 In Leg 1 of the UCL Playoff
City took the early lead in the game courtesy of Erling Haaland's sublime finish in the 19th minute. City had chances to double the lead but failed to finish on a number of occasions. The defending champions Real Madrid, who have built a resume out of games like this, brought the score on level terms in the 60th minute. Kylian Mbappe took the onus for scripting a comeback and scored for Madrid. City took the lead once again in the 80th minute, and Haaland scored again this time from the spot. It was followed by Brahim Diaz's equaliser in the 86th minute. In the end, it was Madrid who came with the winner and rocked City in their backyard once again. Jude Bellingham scored the differentiating goal for Madrid in the 92nd minute of the match, and the lead stood till the final whistle.
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Pep Guardiola on the Errors That Cost City the Game Against Madrid
Following the culmination of the game, Man City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his thoughts on the loss suffered by his team and made it known that the City ended up on the losing side because of the collective "bad decisions" the team made.
"Many times it happen this season," the Man City manager told Amazon Prime. "I know the the quality of Real Madrid. We took the game in the second half and tried to attack too quick. It happens because they are an exceptional team.
"It happens many times this season. Bad decisions, that's all. I take it. It's not about you and me, it's everyone."
Things only get tougher for the Sky Blues now, as they must try to earn a result in Madrid in order to keep their European hopes alive.
"Of course now it's tough," Guardiola said. "We have to recover. I think now about Newcastle [in the Premier League on Saturday] and then go to the Bernabeu."
Despite the loss, Guardiola and City are still in the competition. They will enter the Bernabeu with a one-goal deficit. However, things still pretty much hang in balance and any team can progress to the Round of 16. The second leg of the contest will take place on February 20, 2025.