His reaction to Manchester City<\/a>\u2019s 2-1 triumph in the Spanish capital was to argue they would have to play better in the knockout stages of the competition. At least now, with their manager thinking they only require four points to be fast-tracked to the last 16, they should be spared the play-off round that brought their elimination by Real last season. Yet if Guardiola may be football\u2019s most famous perfectionist, it could have been the realist in him who spoke <\/a>when he said: \u201cIn the last stages, you have to be better.\u201d<\/p>\n Because a reading of the scoreline and the table could suggest City, champions as recently as 2023, fourth in the standings now, rank among the favourites. Guardiola felt the game offered another impression. Real were superior at 1-0; would City have come back from 2-0? <\/p>\n An evening that became a triumph of a City makeshift full-back started off with the tormenting of two. Nico O\u2019Reilly was a scorer, but only after being troubled by Rodrygo. Matheus Nunes looked outclassed by Vinicius Junior. Guardiola won the Champions League<\/a> by repurposing centre-backs as full-backs, in Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji, but they brought a defensive solidity. <\/p>\n Yet now he has full-backs who lack the same strengths and a side whose resilience varies by the game. In the last fortnight alone, City have given up a 2-0 lead to Leeds and conceded four times to Fulham. They also withstood Real\u2019s late onslaught in a manner which reflected well on them. But if defence can win competitions, City have conceded 11 goals in their last six matches. <\/p>\n There is an entertaining element to Guardiola\u2019s new-look side but they lack the control of their predecessors. Guardiola has overhauled his midfield but without bringing in anyone who kept the ball with the natural assurance of Ilkay Gundogan or David Silva. The summer signings Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders are in their own private contest for the final spot in the midfield quintet, but they are more dribbler and runner respectively. <\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Erling Haaland could be crucial to Man City’s success in the latter stages of the Champions League (REUTERS)<\/p>\n Guardiola has fashioned a dynamic midfield, but not the most secure. The balance has been tilted as Jeremy Doku has kicked on and Phil Foden<\/a> staged his personal renaissance. There are times when Nico Gonzalez can seem overworked at the base of the midfield. It adds to the entertainment, but reduces City\u2019s ability to take the sting out of a game with perpetual possession. The flying full-backs are better when they fly forward than when they have to go back. <\/p>\n![\"Erling](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/UEFA-Champions-League-Real-Madrid-v-Manchester-City-7wlan0hu.jpeg\")
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