Manchester City collapses late, loses 3-2 to Real Madrid in UCL

Manchester City faced a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff, throwing away a late lead after Erling Haaland scored twice. Guardiola admitted his side has repeatedly failed to maintain leads this season, highlighting a troubling trend that includes previous collapses against teams like Feyenoord and PSG. Wayne Rooney pointed out a concerning lack of faith among City players during the match, suggesting that this may worry Guardiola as they prepare for the return leg at the Bernabeu. Guardiola emphasized the need for better decision-making, admitting that the players took unnecessary risks while leading against a formidable opponent. The defeat has heightened the pressure on City to turn things around in the second leg and keep their Champions League hopes alive. This latest loss continues to underline the inconsistency that has plagued Guardiola's team throughout the season.