Pep Guardiola admitted a thin Manchester City that they have no physicality against top teams after the hat trick of Kylian Mbappe had sent them to an early exit from Champions League.
Mbappe scored all three while Real Madrid drove to a 3-1 victory in the second stage of their play-off draw-the first time that City has not reached the last 16 since 2013.
Guardiola will supervise a period of change with the aging team in the summer, but will be afraid of the damage that Liverpool could cause when the old rivals meet this weekend.
“We couldn't handle the physicality or the rhythm that Real had,” said Guardiola. “We accept it. We will fight to be here next year. We were so lucky to win this competition once and to arrive in a different final.
'We are currently not at the level. We have not defended properly. In previous seasons, when we played excellent, it hurt more than today. '
Real's dramatic late comeback to beat City 3-2 in the Etihad Stadium, meant last week that Guardiola had a tough fight if they reached the next round. Vinicius Junior later seemed to mock the banner in honor of Rodri's Ballon d'Or City fans for the first stage on social media.
City admitted to the Santiago Bernabeu within four minutes and when John Stones bumped with another injury – in which Guardiola had previously revealed that Erling Haaland's knee complaint of the victory over Newcastle was not sufficiently clarified.
“Last week was difficult to swallow, but even with a good result I know how good they are,” Guardiola added.
'Over time, the team and the club accept what it is and we have 13 or 14 games in the Premier League to try to be here next season.
“Nothing is eternal. We have been incredible and we have to try. We cannot win the competition and we have to be in the top four or top five to be here again. With the problems we have, I could not bring stability. '
Asked if there was a change in the team's cycle, Guardiola replied: 'A bit, yes, we started to do it. Things are not eternal, there are players who have an age. '
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti said that City lost a lot of power 'with the absence of Haaland and his own no. 9 begged to break the goals of Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Kylian has the quality to reach that level,” said Ancelotti. 'Cristiano has set the bar very high. I think he can reach that level. It will not be easy. '
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