Real Madrid has stood in the way of the European progress of Manchester City in recent years in recent years, but rarely did it rarely seem so easy for Los Blancos to turn them around. While the level of Pep Guardiola was interviewed, the Catalan coach suggested that it was more to earn the men of Carlo Ancelotti than their own shortcomings.
“Yes, yes, yes,” Guardiola told Marca after the game when he was asked if he had the motivation to continue as a manager, after a treatise of 6-3 loss for Real Madrid. However, he spoke about his own team as a great side in the past tense, and admitted that it was time for a change in a cycle at Etihad.
“A bit, yes, we started to do it. Things are not eternal, there are players of an age. We have won all those years in the Premier League, we have been there in the Champions League … they arrived at the best time of the season. “
Guardiola, however, was optimistic in the defeat and admitted that his party was comfortably surpassed.
“We have always been very close, we have always been very good to Real Madrid, we have played games to make you say 'wow' … but this year they have been better and we have to congratulate them.”
The city coach was very clear that he came across a Real Madrid side that had many more tools at their disposal than in previous years, despite this season, despite struggling on various points.
“The best thing about them is that the dynamics are very good, just like the individual quality. Even with rivals in their face they have the opportunity to work out their game, something that was a bit more difficult for Madrid. [They] Have that transition point [too]. Now they are able to let you sink and score by fitting. “
“If you press too high, the attacking three make the field very long and, with the mobility of Bellingham, which is very good in all areas, they catch you. They can also attract you a lot, send a long ball and if they win a second ball, you are very exposed. Other years I felt that I could catch them here or there, but this year they are doing many more things very well. “
Real Madrid will discover their opponents in the next round on Friday, knowing that it will be a city derby with Atletico Madrid in the round of 16, or a collision with the man who see many as Carlo Ancelotti's successor, Xabi Alonso and his Bayer Leverkus – side. Certainly against City, the best version of Real Madrid has been shown this season.
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