Manchester City's Defeat To Real Madrid Leaves Anger And Frustration

Manchester City took the lead before Real Madrid took the lead (Instagram/@mancity).

JAKARTA - John Stones admits that he felt angry and frustrated after Manchester City conceded two goals in stoppage time and lost 2-3 to Real Madrid on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, early morning WIB.

These results made The Citizens have to fight hard to qualify for the knockout play of the Champions League ahead of the second leg in Bernabeu next week.

Pep Guardiola's side won 2-1 four minutes before goals from former Manchester City youth, Brahim Diaz, and England midfielder Jude Bellingham.

"We were still in the game until late at night. Then two situations happened and we conceded," Stones told Amazon Prime.

"As a defender, the result was frustrating. It was a feeling of anger and frustration. We needed to have a better match."

"Managers say we need to take responsibility for what we do on the pitch, I think we did."

"We need to get up when these bad moments happen," said Stones again.

This isn't the first time Manchester City has had to pay the price for a late defeat. In the Champions League alone, they have wasted their lead against Sporting CP, Feyenoord, Paris Saint-Germain, and now against Real Madrid.

"After 2-1, it happened as has happened many times this season," Guardiola told a news conference.

"Against Feyenoord, Sporting, Brentford, (Manchester) United. In the end we gave up."

"At that level, it's very difficult. It's not the first time, it's happened many times. That's why it's difficult."

"We talked about it, but it was difficult. It has happened many times," said Guardiola.

Manchester City must win at next week's Santiago Bernabeu to have a chance to reach the last 16 of the Champions League. Meanwhile, Real Madrid only needed a home draw to advance.

Stones admits it is difficult to remain positive after Real Madrid took a temporary aggregate in the match.

"We have a great opportunity to go to Bernabeu with a 2-1 advantage. It's not finished yet. We have to stay positive, which is difficult now."

"As the manager said, we need to look at ourselves and take responsibility."

"It was inevitable from us as eleven players on the pitch. We have to play better, that's as simple as it is."

"We have to maintain a positive mentality and try to fix it," said Stones.