Pep Guardiola has made good on Man City assessment after last Real Madrid clash

Ten months ago, Manchester City travelled to Spain in hope rather than expectation of progressing to the knockout stages of the Champions League. The new league format proved to be the Blues’ undoing as they finished in a lowly 22nd, qualifying for the play-offs by the skin of their teeth.

Standing in their way of a place in the knockouts was Real Madrid who finished four points better off than Pep Guardiola’s side. The first leg of the play-off neither team wanted went in favour of the visitors as Erling Haaland’s brace was topped by Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham late on as the La Liga giants secured a 3-2 win in Manchester.

At the Bernabeu, City were blown away as Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick powered Carlo Ancelotti’s side into the knockout stages as the Blues refocused on domestic football. After the match, Guardiola was in a reflective mood and his assessment of the club resonated with supporters.

“A little bit, yes, we have started to do [the rebuild]. Things are not eternal, there are players who have an age,” Guardiola explained. “With time the team, the club and everyone will accept what it is. We have been unbelievable [before] and we have to try step by step to get better [again].

“We cannot win the Premier League.” Not for the first time, and certainly not for the last, Guardiola’s assessment of the Blues was bang on the money. They were well off the pace in the Premier League title race and finished the season empty handed after defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final.

Something needed to change at the Etihad Stadium and so it proved in the summer. Kevin De Bruyne’s exit was pre-announced and came as no surprise but Guardiola remained ruthless in his pursuit of returning to the top.