We have to learn from Champions League exit – Pep

Match Report

City exit Champions League after defeat in Madrid

City were beaten 3-1 in the second leg in Spain to go out at the play-off stage 6-3 on aggregate to the current European champions.

It was the fourth time that we have faced Real in the past four seasons with City going out on penalties last season and winning emphatically in the previous campaign when we lifted the trophy.

But Guardiola congratulated the 15-times winners on their win and said it was the first time that he felt his side were second best with the team determined to fight our way back to our best. 

“The best team won, they deserved it,” the City boss said. “We made good Champions league campaigns in the past, [reaching the] semi-finals and finals, but this season no.

“I had the feeling in the previous three [years] we were better than them, this time they have been better.

“They can run, can make long possessions, high pressing, dynamic movement, defend well. They deserve it. We need to learn from it. We need to accept it and move forward.”

City are currently fourth in the Premier League and Guardiola is determined to carry on our run of qualifying for Europe’s top competition for the past 14 seasons.

“The game 2-3 at home was hard to swallow,” he added. “Here it is not easy. Even with a positive result at home I know how good they are.

“With time, the team and the club will accept what it is.

“Now we have 13 Premier League games and we will try to be here next year.

“We have been unbelievable and we have to try, step-by-step, to get better.”