John Stones was “angry” and “frustrated” by Manchester City’s late collapse in a 3-2 defeat by Real Madrid in her Champions League Knockout-Playout first leg.
Real secured the victory with two late goals by Brahim Diaz and Jew Bellingham after Erling Haaland reached the city from the penalty point in the 80th minute.
After 10 minutes, City led Haaland’s first game after 10 minutes before Kylian Mbappe spent the game in the second half before the dramatic final in Etihad.
It continues the uncharacteristic fights of the Pep Guardiola’s team this season, with the fifth side of the Premier League now had to go to Bernabeu from next week to overthrow a top deficit to reach the last 16.
Stones told Amazon Prime: “A few games after the Arsenal (5-1 defeat), I don’t know how to put it in words immediately, it is so raw and frustrating for everyone.
“We were in the game until so late and then there are two situations that happen and we admit. It is frustrating as a defender to get this result from it.
“It is a feeling of anger and frustration.”
It happened again!
Man City Traum in Etihad as Real Madrid Lead! 😳#Uclonprime pic.twitter.com/vll8j9wuz6
– Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideoSport) February 11, 2025
Her late defeat was the ninth time that City did not win after the game was guided, which is as often as in her previous four seasons.
The English defender added: “We have to see games better. The manager said we have to take responsibility for what we do on the field, I think we do. We have to climb when these bad moments happen.
“Today we had a great opportunity to go 2-1 into the Bernabeu. It’s not finished. We have to stay positive, which is now difficult. As the manager says, we have to look at ourselves and take on accountability. “
“We had exactly at the beginning of the game and we know that Real are of quality in the second half. It is avoidable by us than the eleven on the field. We have to do it better – it’s so easy.
“We have to keep a positive mentality and try to make it in order.”
Bellingham: We played some of our best football of the season
The match winner Bellingham felt after an impressive start to the game, even though he went back and said his late goal could be of crucial importance before the back leg.
He said, “It was strange. We played some of our best football of the season and landed behind it.
“I think we played well and created a lot. During the entire game we were always confident that something would fall for us.
“I don’t care what form City you are in. You are still an incredible team. It is always difficult to play against them, and in the end we finally took the chance.
“It is always good to take a tour home and I am sure that the Bernabeu will get through for us.
It seems as if they are playing and depths in these knockout games. It is not only game management, it is tactical and it is also physiological. “
