City Stuns Opponents in Final Match: "We're Back with a Bang!

Adios to Manchester City , perhaps forever to Pep Guardiola ’s Manchester City in the Champions League . If this was the end for a man defined by both this competition and his Barcelona past, it was a sadly fitting exit. For the third year in a row, for the fourth season in five, Real Madrid have knocked City out.

This has almost become part of City’s spring; a part Guardiola may not miss. Even as the defeated Catalan said that Jurgen Klopp has remained the greatest rival of his time in England, Real have been his nemesis in Europe. For Guardiola, his was the brutality and the brilliance of the Champions League knockout stages .

City made an epic effort even if, in the final reckoning, they never came close to completing the greatest of comebacks. It was compelling to the last, but decided in 23 minutes before the break in Madrid. City lost over 90 minutes, as they did over 180, beaten by Fede Valverde’s treble in the Bernabeu and Vinicius Jr ’s brace in Manchester.

“To beat them 5-1, the score says everything,” said Alvaro Arbeloa. With a blend of inspiration and desperation, City had mounted a ferocious assault; they lacked nothing in bravery, energy or personality. “They have pride,” said Guardiola.