UCL: Guardiola sets a sad record after Man City’s heavy defeat to Real Madrid

Manchester City’s coach, Pep Guardiola, had a particularly difficult evening Wednesday in the Champions League round of 16 first leg against Real Madrid. On the Santiago Bernabéu pitch, the Citizens were heavily defeated (3-0). Federico Valverde was the main architect of this Madrid victory, netting a hat-trick, giving the Merengues a comfortable lead ahead of the return leg scheduled for next week.

According to Opta, the statistics specialist, this defeat is one of the heaviest Guardiola has suffered in a Champions League knockout-stage first leg. The Spanish coach had already experienced a 3-0 reverse against FC Barcelona in the semi-finals of the 2014-2015 edition, and then against Liverpool FC in the quarter-finals of the 2017-2018 season.

After this European disappointment, Manchester City will have to quickly move on. Guardiola’s men will now turn back to the Premier League with a trip this weekend to West Ham United.