Champions League round of 16 leg 2: AS Monaco 3-1 Manchester City (6-6 on aggregate). Monaco wins on away goals.
What a great tie this was. Manchester City was aiming at another run in the tournament after reaching the semifinals last year while AS Monaco beat another English club after Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal two years ago. They reach the quarterfinals for the second time in three years.
A disappointed Guardiola came to the press box to share on his team elimination:
“Normally we play until half-time at a good level but tonight, we didn’t do that. It’s happened, the opponent was there and we will learn from this. At this level, when you concede and play the way we did in the first 45 minutes, it is so difficult. In the second half, we had the chances to score a lot of goals and we didn’t. That’s why we are out.
In the first half, they could have scored more. Barcelona scored three goals through set pieces, two penalties and a free kick, so set pieces are important.
That is my only sad thing – the way we played in that first 45 minutes. You can play and the opponent can beat you, but we were not there. In the right moment, we should be there but we weren’t. I think we will improve next year. We are going to try – of course we are. This competition is so demanding for the big teams.. In the special moments, we were unlucky. That’s why we will be looking to the Premier League and the FA Cup in the remaining months and then on to next season.”
