Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham is fully behind boss Xabi Alonso
Manchester City may have celebrated a rare and resilient 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, but manager Pep Guardiola insists his side remains “far away” from winning the Champions League. Despite the comeback win lifting City to fourth in the league-phase standings, Guardiola has cooled growing expectations.
A Big Win, but Guardiola Preaches Caution
City’s victory marked only their second-ever win at the Bernabeu. The result pushed them closer to securing a top-eight spot in the new Champions League league phase, with Bodo/Glimt and Galatasaray still to play in the New Year.
The win also elevated City to third favourites in the Champions League betting markets behind Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
Yet Guardiola delivered a grounded assessment in his post-match comments.
“We are far away. We are not ready,” he told TNT Sports. “In February, we will be better. We have played better here before and still lost. That’s football.”
City Celebrates Progress but Admits There’s Work Ahead
Guardiola praised his squad’s spirit but stressed the need for improvement.
“The effort was incredible. The result was incredibly good. But there are margins to improve,” he said.
He noted the challenge of beating Real Madrid away, especially with four to six players making their first appearance at the historic venue.
“Winning here, I have to be happy. We have 13 points already. It’s in our hands to finish in the top eight,” Guardiola added.
Real Madrid Struggle as Alonso Faces Pressure
The loss increased pressure on Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, who has just two wins in his last eight matches across all competitions.
Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham defended his coach, insisting the players remain fully committed.
“The manager has been great. We are 100 per cent behind him,” Bellingham said.
He admitted the team has faced difficult moments.
“At certain points, we suffer and concede. It forces us to play in a way we don’t want to. But we have what we need to turn it around,” he added.
Haaland Highlights the Importance of City’s Win
City striker Erling Haaland praised the team’s resilience in a chaotic match filled with transitions.
“It’s difficult to come here,” Haaland told TNT Sports. “We could have had another goal. Jeremy was close, I was close, but the game was chaotic.”
Haaland stressed the significance of the win after City’s recent loss to Leverkusen.
“If we didn’t win today, things could look different. This win is really important,” he said.
City now have two league-phase games left and must finish in the top eight to advance.
Defensive Commitment Remains Key for City
Guardiola highlighted the danger of Real Madrid’s attacking trio—Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr., and Jude Bellingham.
“The pace they have up front is so dangerous. You cannot stay high. You must defend with total commitment,” he said.
Though City lacked defensive sharpness at moments, Guardiola praised their overall effort and adaptability in a challenging environment.
Champions League Stakes Rising for Both Clubs
The victory places City in a strong position heading into the final stage of the league phase. Their target remains clear: finish in the top eight to secure progression and avoid a knockout play-off.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, face mounting pressure to rediscover form and stability. Their defensive lapses and late-game vulnerabilities continue to worry coaches and supporters.
Looking Ahead: Can Man City Build Momentum?
Despite beating Real Madrid, the message from Guardiola is unmistakable—Manchester City still have more growing to do before they can be considered Champions League favourites.
February will reveal whether City can refine their form, regain consistency, and truly contend for Europe’s biggest prize. For now, the win is valuable, but the journey remains long.
