Real Madrid Vs Man City: Pep Guardiola Responds To Jude Bellingham's Red Card

Pep Guardiola also commented on Jude Bellingham's red card ahead of the Real Madrid vs Manchester City meeting (Instagram/@pepteam).

JAKARTA - Pep Guardiola hinted that he did not sympathize with Jude Bellingham and Real Madrid after the midfielder received a red card in La Liga for swearing.

Bellingham scored a winning goal in Real Madrid's win over Manchester City 3-2 in the first leg of last week's Champions League knockout playoff at the Etihad Stadium.

He is preparing to face Guardiola's side in the second leg, Thursday, February 20, 2025, after days of controversy over his red card against Osasuna on Saturday, February 15, 2025.

Bellingham and Real Madrid said the England midfielder said "f--off" to referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero. However, he reportedly threw "f--you" the reason for the red card.

Los Blancos later criticized the decision even though the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) condemned the attacks and abuses the referee received afterwards.

Speaking in Madrid on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, ahead of the Champions League match, Guardiola said he did not feel translation was a problem in the incident.

"My English is good, but I don't understand the difference between f--off and f--you."

"However, what matters is the intention, not the insult. The best thing is not to do it and let the referee in peace."

"There is always a decision. You have to ask Jude what his intentions are. That's what matters. Maybe you can insult someone with a big smile on your face and it won't be that bad, right?" said Guardiola.

Guardiola said that even though Bellingham got a red card for swearing, he didn't feel the need to tell his players to be careful with their language towards the referee.

Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs will lead the match at the Bernabeu at the Real Madrid vs Manchester City meeting.

"I'm never going to say never, never, but I rarely talk about referees with my players."

"Maybe in a situation like this, the previous days it was impossible to forget about it because of the atmosphere of the dressing room and the media."

"However, most of the time I didn't even know who the referee was. Yesterday (Monday, February 17, 2025) and Tuesday, we didn't talk to the team and it won't happen tonight or tomorrow," said Guardiola.

Manchester City are in an unfavorable situation as they seek to reverse the 2-3 deficit in Bernabeu.

Guardiola made a pessimistic statement that the chances of The Citizens stepping into the last 16 of the Champions League were only one percent.