Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola accepted responsibility for his team’s 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League playoff round on Tuesday.
City appeared poised for a first-leg victory when Erling Haaland converted a penalty in the 80th minute, but late goals from Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham secured the win for the visitors. Haaland had earlier given City the lead in the first half before Kylian Mbappe equalized for Real Madrid in the 60th minute.
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti praised his team’s resilience, while Guardiola acknowledged the result as a tough setback. “We had control, but in the Champions League, small details make a difference,” Guardiola said.
The return leg is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid.