Pep Guardiola has admitted that he and his Manchester City team will "need time to process" their 6-5 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals.
After securing a thrilling 4-3 first-leg victory at the Etihad Stadium last week, the Citizens were beaten 3-1 after extra time at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night, a game in which they were leading heading into stoppage time.
Riyad Mahrez broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute with a sweet left-footed strike into the top-right corner, but Real Madrid dramatically turned the second leg on its head thanks to a brace from substitute Rodrygo, who netted in the 90th and 91st minutes.
Los Blancos star Karim Benzema then put the hosts in front on aggregate five minutes into extra time from the penalty spot, and his strike from 12 yards proved to be the winning goal, sending the Citizens crashing out at the semi-final stage.
Speaking to BT Sport after the game, Guardiola stated that his City side were not at their best in the Spanish capital and he believes that they will now need time to reflect on their heart-breaking exit before turning their attention to the Premier League title race.
"Yeah [it feels cruel] we were close, but at the end, we could not reach it," said the Spaniard. "In the first half we were not good enough but we did not suffer much. After we scored we were better, we found our tempo and the players were comfortable.
"We didn't suffer much but we didn't play our best. That is normal. It is a semi-final and the players can feel the pressure. Football is unpredictable, and sometimes you have to accept it. Now we need time to process it and come back with our people at home."
Man City now have just four games remaining in the 2021-22 campaign, all of which are in the Premier League with their next fixture at home against Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.
Oliver Thomas
