Pep Guardiola says he's confident Manchester City will qualify for the Champions League knockout stages when they take on Club Brugge on Wednesday. But is that confidence justified?
For all their achievements and bursts of quality, City are now defined by their age, recurring mistakes and fragility
European draws offer intrigue and Pep prepares for a clear-out - There was frustration for Sarina Wiegman’s England and another clean sheet for Burnley in Friday night’s action.
Manchester City’s predictable Champions League humbling leaves Pep Guardiola with sobering realisation - Real Madrid 3-1 Man City (6-3 agg): A clinical hat-trick from Kylian Mbappe ensured there would
The Premier League champions welcome Real Madrid to the Etihad Stadium in the first-leg of an enthralling two-legged affair for a place in the UEFA Champions League’s last-16 stage having finished in 22nd position during the league phase.
And while the 30-year-old has not exactly been often available for Pep Guardiola during his tenure, his body is rejecting the severe schedule that regularly has Manchester City playing three games in seven days. Akanji has also suffered an injury earlier this season in the festive period that saw him miss four games.
Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick was the 16th by a Real Madrid player in the UCL, the most hat-tricks for any club in the competition, beating the 15 hat-tricks scored by Barcelona players in the competition.
Manchester City are out. They were never really in it. Pep Guardiola’s men were eliminated before the Champions League last-16 phase by a dominant and exceptional Real Madrid.
John Stones reveals Pep Guardiola message after latest Man City collapse: ‘We have to take accountability’ - Guardiola’s side squandered yet another position of strength to concede a first-leg deficit
7d
Hosted on MSNChampions League: Pep Guardiola believes only '1%' chance for Man City to defeat Real Madrid; Here's whyPep Guardiola-led Manchester City side suffered a 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in their home leg of Champions League knockout playoffs. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is of the opinion that his side's chances of defeating Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League knockout playoffs is very slim.
Some results have been hidden because they may be inaccessible to you
Show inaccessible results