A Night to Forget: Manchester City’s Stunning Defeat to Real Madrid
Manchester City’s highly anticipated Champions League clash against Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday evening turned into a nightmarish experience for the Premier League champions. Despite leading twice, thanks to Erling Haaland’s two goals, City’s defense crumbled in the final six minutes, allowing Real Madrid to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory. The defeat not only sent shockwaves through the City camp but also sparked harsh criticism from the Spanish media, who were quick to mock Pep Guardiola and his side.
Spanish Media Mockery
The Spanish media did not hold back in their criticism of Manchester City. One of the most prominent outlets, Sport, published the headline ‘Stick to Pep’ and wrote, "Haaland put his team ahead twice but City once again let the game slip." Their back page featured a telling image of City defender Josko Gvardiol with his head in his hands, contrasting sharply with the jubilant celebrations of Real Madrid’s players. Mundo Deportivo was equally critical, labeling Guardiola’s side as ‘fragile’ and suggesting that the team’s aging squad and declining form were to blame.
Guardiola Under Scrutiny
The scrutiny extended beyond the players to City’s manager, Pep Guardiola. A columnist for Mundo Deportivo wrote that "City has aged Guardiola badly," and further suggested that the squad’s players are "too old, incapable of keeping up with the pace demanded in Europe." Another piece by the same outlet claimed that Guardiola was ‘lost’ and that the team could not overturn their struggles. The article noted, "It seems that the players are making Pep’s bed, or at least it seems that the dressing room no longer has enough strength to turn the team around and continue winning as they have done until now."
Praising Real Madrid
In contrast, the Spanish media showered praise on Real Madrid and their manager, Carlo Ancelotti. AS had the headline "This is how Madrid wins!" and added, "Ancelotti’s side run over City in their best away game in years. Bellingham’s stoppage-time goal brings justice." Marca echoed this sentiment with their headline, "Bravo Madrid! Mbappe, Brahim, and Bellingham neutralise Haaland’s two goals." The articles highlighted the resilience and tactical brilliance of Real Madrid, emphasizing their ability to secure crucial goals when it mattered most.
French Media Critiques
The criticism of City did not stop at the Spanish borders. French newspaper L’Equipe also joined in, handing several City players low ratings. Bernardo Silva, in particular, received a scathing 3/10, with the paper noting that the Portuguese midfielder had a "poor game, winning only 17 per cent of his duels (1/6), recovering only three balls and causing three fouls, including the well-placed free kick that led to Kylian Mbappe’s equaliser." Guardiola himself was given a 4/10 for his management of the match, alongside goalkeeper Ederson, defender Ruben Dias, and winger Joao Cancelo.
Looking Forward
Despite the harsh criticism and the disappointment of the defeat, Manchester City faces a critical task in the return leg against Real Madrid in the Spanish capital. The team will need to regroup, address their defensive vulnerabilities, and draw on their experience and resilience to turn the tie around. For Guardiola, the focus will be on rediscovering the form and tactical acumen that have made City one of the most formidable sides in world football. The road ahead is challenging, but City’s fans and the team itself will be hoping that this setback is just a temporary bump in a long and successful journey.
