Pep Guardiola. Pep Guardiola said that previous defeats to Real Madrid hurt more than this season because Manchester City could not come close to saying they were the better team.. The Blues were dumped out of the Champions League for the third time in four years by the Spanish giants, but whereas on previous occasions extra time and penalties were required this time Real won both games in normal time to win 6-3 on aggregate. City’s exit before the last-16 is their worst result in Europe since 2013 and they face a fight to get back into the Champions League next season.. Guardiola was not surprised by the result, having given his team a one per cent chance of victory before the second leg. Their eventual exit was less painful for the City manager knowing his team were not at the level that they have been in previous seasons – in the Champions League or in any competition they have played.. “It’s ok to accept the reality that they were better. In previous seasons when we were playing outstanding it hurt more than today,” he said.. “We have not been good – not just today but in all competitions. With the problems we have I was not able to bring stability. I was expecting in the first minutes them to be aggressive and try to extend the game. It’s not easy after five minutes to get back.”. Article continues below. City have no time to feel sorry for themselves as they face Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday at the Etihad, with doubts over Erling Haaland and John Stones. Arne Slot’s side strolled to victory in the reverse fixture at Anfield this season.
