Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has spoken out after his side’s 1-1 Champions League draw with Real Madrid on Tuesday night. The visitors dug deep to leave the tie in the balance ahead of the second leg at the Etihad Stadium next week. Vinicius Jr put Los Blancos ahead, with Kevin De Bruyne then scoring to give City every chance of making the final next month.
City were able to claim a draw against Real Madrid but Erling Haaland drew a blank, with the Norway international unable to add to his tally of 51 goals this season.
But Guardiola has made it clear he was happy with the way the youngster performed and wasn't fazed by his quiet evening, despite his side’s failure to claim victory.
"The pockets and distances between the central defender and full-backs was occupied. It was not easy for Erling,” he said.
“He moved well and had his chances."
On his side’s overall performance, Guardiola stated: " When we were better they score. When they were better we score. Tight, tight game.
“The Bernabeu in the semi-final, sometimes we had good moments and sometimes it was difficult with the quality they have on the ball.
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“[It is a] final next Wednesday at home with our people.
"We started really well in second half as well and then after they got the game we could not take it.
“They play a lot of passes on the left and they are really good there but then we score a fantastic goal through Kevin [De Bruyne] and had good moments and then at the end they had a few good chances.
"They are so demanding, with the experience and quality. We are travelling to Manchester and we will see what we can do better.
"When you play this kind of game it is like a play-off, hopefully we can learn and do even better."
City midfielder Rodri admitted he was happy to see his side come through the game against Madrid without suffering defeat.
"It is very tough when you come here,” said the Spain international. “I think the lads were incredible. The effort was there. Sometimes it is difficult against this team because they have a lot of quality.
"In the first 25-30 minutes we controlled the game and then first chance they have, they score an incredible goal.
“But we kept in the game even though it was difficult to get in with the way they defend. Kevin [De Bruyne] found the goal and then in the last minutes we tried to keep the ball.
"Lots of concentration is needed because when you lose the ball it is tough to regain it because they have a lot of quality and they have fast players up front.
"He [Kevin de Bruyne] is a massive player for us. Always he has been great and he helped us in the moment we most needed it.
“We were suffering a bit because they were keeping the ball and with the goal he gave us the confidence to keep pushing. It is a good result for us.
"We knew no matter what happened here it would not be the end. At home we will need the people to support us."
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, hailed Vinicius for his goal by saying: “Yeah, a great strike, a fantastic moment.
“The team played well. I am satisfied.”
And the Italian added: "An interesting game. Difficult for us in the first half and the second half was much better. We had good control in the game.
"When they had lots of possession we were in control defensively then when we started to play the ball we caused difficulties.
"We had to keep our positions defensively then when we got the opportunity, we scored the first goal."
Ancelotti was also booked during the showdown - but the Real Madrid boss hilariously admitted he didn’t know what for.
"I don't know why. I was not on the pitch,” he said.
“I think he could give a yellow card to the player not the manager."
The tie resumes next Wednesday (8pm).
