Manchester City secured a significant win against Real Madrid, triumphing 2-1 at the iconic Bernabeu stadium. Despite the victory, manager Pep Guardiola believes his team still has considerable work to do to be contenders for the UEFA Champions League title. The match, held on November 1, showcased City’s resilience as they came from behind to claim the win, boosting their standing in the league phase of the tournament.
City’s performance was marked by a challenging start, with Real Madrid taking an early lead through a goal from Rodrygo. However, City responded effectively, equalizing just before halftime with a close-range effort from Nico O’Reilly and later sealing the match with a penalty converted by Erling Haaland. This victory lifted City to fourth place in the group standings, an important turnaround following their previous setback against Bayer Leverkusen.
Guardiola acknowledged the significance of the win but emphasized the need for further improvement. He stated, “It was a good experience for us being here. We felt the pressure of having to do it and there will be good lessons for the future. But that level is not quite enough.” He expressed a sense of urgency for his players to enhance their performance, noting, “We’ve played much better and not won. This is the reality.”
Despite the positive result, Guardiola remained cautious, declaring, “We are not ready (yet). We are far away. In February we will be better.” He highlighted that while winning at the Bernabeu is a remarkable achievement, the team must elevate their game to reach the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament.
On the opposing side, Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid’s manager, faced intense scrutiny leading up to the match due to a string of poor performances. Local reports indicated that a loss could jeopardize his position. Following the match, Alonso praised his team’s effort, stating, “The players gave their last breath. I don’t have anything to reproach them for. I am grateful to the players for their attitude, keeping it up.” He acknowledged the difficulties the team faced but insisted they would continue to strive for improvement, saying, “We will keep on believing. I am sure we can make it better.”
The result not only enhanced City’s prospects in the Champions League but also intensified the pressure on Alonso as speculation about his future with Real Madrid grows. This thrilling encounter on November 1 demonstrated the competitive spirit of both teams and set the stage for an exciting remainder of the tournament.
