It feels cruel, says Guardiola after Champions League exit

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says their defeat to Real Madrid “feels cruel” as they came into the second leg of the Uefa Champions League semi-finals leading by 4-3 from the first leg.

Real pulled off one of the most dramatic Champions League comebacks to sink City 6-5 on aggregate to reach the final in France.

On Wednesday night, the Spanish giants scored twice in stoppage time and again in extra time to come back from two goals down at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

“Yeah [it feels cruel]. We were close, but we could not reach it in the end,” said Guardiola.

“In the first half, we were not good enough, but we did not suffer much. After we scored, we were better, we found our tempo, and the players were comfortable.

“We didn’t suffer much, but we didn’t play our best. That is normal. It is a semi-final, and the players can feel the pressure. We have to accept it.

“Now we need time to process that and come back with our people at home.”