The Stones left “angry” and “frustrated” after blowing the lead in the defeat of Real Madrid
The John Stones were “angrily” and “frustrated” by Manchester City’s slow collapse in the Champions League knockout playoff first leg in a 3-2 defeat by Real Madrid.
The Real secured the victory through two slow goals after moving the city ahead from the penalty spot in the 80th minute through two slow goals by Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham.
City led Haaland’s first game ahead of Killian Mbappe’s dramatic finale at Etihad before Killian Mbappe leveled the game in the second half.
The non-characteristic struggle on Pep Guardiola’s side this season, with the fifth-placed Premier League side set to head to the Bernabeu next week and will need to overturn the goal deficit to reach the final 16.
Stones told Amazon Prime:
“We were late in the game, but it’s two situations that happen, and we acknowledge that, as a defender, it’s frustrating to take that outcome.
“It’s a feeling of anger and frustration.”
It happened again!
Man City Agony at Etihad as the lead in Real Madrid! 😳#uclonprime pic.twitter.com/vll8j9wuz6
– Amazon Prime Video Sports (@primevideosport) February 11, 2025
Their late defeat was the ninth loss that the city couldn’t win after leading in the game.
The England defender added: “We need to look at the game better. Our manager said we need to be accountable for what we do on the pitch. We need to step up when these bad moments happen. .
“Today we had a great opportunity to go to the Bernabeu with a 2-1 lead. It’s not happening. We have to stay positive, but it’s difficult now. The manager has As I say, we need to look at ourselves and take accountability.”
“We were on top at the start of the game. We know that Real has the quality that comes out in the second half. We can avoid it from us as an eleven on the pitch. We have to do better. It’s not – it’s just as easy.
“We have to maintain a positive mentality and try to make it right.”
Bellingham: We played the best football of the season
Matchweiner’s Bellingham deserves a victory after an impressive start to the game despite moving backwards, and says his slow goal is extremely important ahead of the return leg.
He said: “It was weird. We played some of the best football of the season and eventually went back.
“I think we were playing well and we were making a lot of stuff, and we were always confident throughout the game that something would fall for us.
“I don’t care what shape a city looks like, where they’re still an incredible team. It’s always difficult to play against them, and we’ve finally got a last chance. I’ve taken it.
“It’s always good to go back home and take the lead and I’m sure the Bernabeu will come for us.
Apparently these knockout games have ups and downs. Not only is it tactical and physiological as well as game management. ”