Pep Guardiola: Man City must be better than in win over Real Madrid

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola said his team must be better despite a 2-1 win against Real Madrid in the Champions League at the Bernabeu on Wednesday. The Spaniard said his team will be even better in February.

The visitors registered a 2-1 come-from-behind win after Rodrygo scored the opening goal for the hosts. Nico O’Reilly then equalised in the 35th minute, whereas Erling Haaland scored the match-winning goal from a spot-kick before the half-time break for the Cityzens to help them secure all three points.

This was Manchester City’s maiden win in Madrid since 2020.

“We are not ready, we are away,” said Guardiola.

“In February, we will be better. These kinds of games, we have been here before and played better and lost. The players made a big effort but we still have much to improve.

“I take it, but I know the reality that in the last stages we have to do better.”

With this win, Pep Guardiola’s team moved to fourth place in the Champions League table. The Sky Blues are in a good position to finish among the top eight teams and avoid a playoff to reach the last 16 in Europe’s elite competition.

“It’s so difficult here,” said Guardiola.

“Four or five players played for the first time here. To win here we have to be happy in terms of points, especially.

“We have 13, and it’s in our hands to finish in the top eight. That’s the target and winning here after [Bayer] Leverkusen is good.”

Manchester City will next take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League at Selhurst Park, London, on Sunday.