Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola had no complaints about his side’s defence as they edged Real Madrid 4-3 in a thrilling UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday.
City were 2-0 up inside 12 minutes with early goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus but Real stayed in touch, with Karim Benzema pulling one back in the 33rd minute.
Phil Foden extended City’s lead early in the second half, before Vinicius Junior’s run and strike to make it 3-2 in the 55th minute. Bernardo Silva fired City two clear again with 15 minutes to go, but Benzema netted a late Panenka penalty.
City may have had a clearer advantage but for their defensive issues, but Guardiola wouldn’t be drawn on conceding three goals.
“We played a fantastic game against an incredible team,” he said. “The moments where they rise and come back into the game in the first half I think we gave them as our build-up was so nervous.
“Normally we are so safe and so good. Also they press really good and strong. All around the world and for Manchester City, we are so proud. But it is about reaching the final and sometimes football happens
“The result could have been better, and you have to perform really well over two games and we’ve performed really well in the first one.
“It’s a good test to show the personality of our team and we travel there to try and win the game.”
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti said: “Karim played really well, as he always does. He’s shown great character to take the penalty and he scored it spectacularly. I was surprised he took it that way.”
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