Manager Pep Guardiola says Manchester City are “still a long way” from winning the Champions League despite beating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
City strengthened their bid to secure a place in the Champions League’s top eight with a 2-1 comeback win over Real Madrid, and moved up to fourth in the league table in the new year after a second win at the Bernabeu alongside Bodo/Glimt and Galatasaray.
As a result, Guardiola’s side are third favorites to win the title in outright betting via Sky Bet, behind Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
But Guardiola dampened enthusiasm about their chances, telling TNT Sports: “We are (far) away. We are not ready yet. We will be better in February. We have been here in the past and we have played more games than today and lost. That is football sometimes.”
“The players put in a tremendous effort. It was an unbelievably good result. The spirit was unbelievable. But there is still room for improvement.”
“It could be better. Of course it’s too difficult to win at the Bernabeu. Four, five, six players have played their first game here, so we might not be fully ready to play at this stage like we are, but it’s a process and there are a lot of new players.”
“A win here should make us happy, especially in terms of points. We’ve already won 13, so it’s in our hands to get into the top eight. That’s the goal. It was good to win here after what happened in Leverkusen.
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Kris Boyd has given his verdict on Real Madrid’s 2-1 loss to Manchester City in the Champions League.
“Rodrigo, what a great player. Vinicius, Bellingham and their forward pace are too dangerous to stay high. We have to concentrate on our defence. We fell a little short but overall the effort was great.”
Haaland: I am very happy with this important win.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland told TNT Sports:
“It was difficult to get here and there were a lot of changes in the game. We could have scored another goal. We were close to one point in the second half and Jeremy (Doku) made a few saves, but the game was a bit chaotic. We couldn’t control it, so it was difficult and difficult to get here. So I’m really happy with the result.”
“This win is really important because if we hadn’t lost and won against Leverkusen, today might have looked completely different.
“We have two more games left so now we have to finish strong and hopefully we can get in the first eight because then we will be done.”
Bellingham: Players 100% behind Alonso
Real Madrid coach
Asked if the players are behind Alonso, Jude Bellingham told TNT Sports: “100 per cent.
“The manager has been great. I have a great relationship with him personally and I know a lot of the players do as well. We had a good chat internally after the draw and felt we could put that behind us before the last few games. No one’s dropping a tool, no one’s complaining or moaning. We’ve just kept our chin up and kept fighting.
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham is fully following in manager Xabi Alonso’s footsteps.
“We’re still trying to work it out within the locker room no matter what happens outside. We know that doesn’t help. One thing is the way we manage the game. Some things we have to suffer for, it feels like we’re always giving in and that sets us back and makes us play the way we don’t want to.
“But we have what it takes in the dressing room to turn things around. We might need a bit of luck and there might be something to discuss internally. I believe this season is not over just because we are not in good form.”
