Late Collapse Haunts Manchester City in Champions League Clash Against Real Madrid

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola offered no explanation for yet another late-game collapse as his team fell 3-2 at home to Real Madrid in the Champions League playoffs on Tuesday, leaving their campaign hanging by a thread ahead of the second leg.
Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham scored late goals to overturn City's 2-1 lead, with Bellingham netting the winner in the 92nd minute at the Etihad Stadium, where the atmosphere shifted from elation to despair.


"We arrived at the last minute with a lead, and we couldn't hold it," Guardiola said at the press conference.
"After going up 2-1, this has happened many times—against Feyenoord in the Champions League, where we led 3-0 in the 74th minute but ended in a 3-3 draw; against Brentford in the Premier League; against Manchester United. In many matches, we give away leads at the end," he added. "Unfortunately, this has occurred too often; it's difficult."

Erling Haaland's two goals, including a penalty in the 80th minute, had City positioned for a win over the reigning champions and La Liga leaders. However, leads have been elusive for Guardiola's side this season, currently sitting fifth in the Premier League. They have conceded seven goals in the final 15 minutes of Champions League matches this term.


"There was a lot of naivety from Manchester City, especially late in the game," said former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney, serving as a pundit for Amazon Prime. "The players seemed to lack belief in each other, which is concerning for Guardiola. When you're 2-1 up against Real Madrid with a return leg at the Bernabeu coming up, you need to play sensibly and let them have the ball in their half."

Players Accountable
City defender John Stones acknowledged the need for accountability among the players. "As the manager says, we need to look at ourselves and take responsibility. We started strong but know Real has the quality to respond in the second half. It’s avoidable from us as the eleven on the pitch. We have to do better—it's that simple. We need to maintain a positive mentality and rectify our mistakes."

Guardiola added that the responsibility "belongs to all of us, not just the players. I have no problem accepting that. Blaming one specific player is ridiculous; it’s on all of us, starting with me. The players want it, and they work hard, but the truth is we aren't stable enough in those crucial moments."

City, who won the Champions League in 2023, and 15-time winners Real both failed to automatically qualify for the last 16 as top eight sides in the new Champions League format, with City finishing 22nd to just scrape into the playoffs.
The second leg is scheduled for next Wednesday in Madrid.