‘Difficult to lift our mindset’: Guardiola admits City have little chance of progress

Manchester City lose first leg 3-0 at Real Madrid

‘Now it’s difficult, but we will try’

Pep Guardiola admitted Manchester City’s hopes of progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals are distant after a 3-0 defeat in their last‑16 first leg at Real Madrid.

City were unable to respond to Federico Valverde’s 22‑minute first‑half hat-trick as Álvaro Arbeloa’s team humbled the visitors at the Bernabéu. Vinícius Júnior also missed a second‑half penalty.

Guardiola was asked what chance City have of overturning the deficit in the return at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. “Now, not much. Of course we’re going to try,” he said. “Now it’s difficult to lift our mindset, but we’ll be there, we’ll try with our people.