Pep blames first-half flop for UCL exit
Manchester City's performance in the first half of its 3-1 loss at Monaco caused its UEFA Champions League exit, coach Pep Guardiola said.
Pep Guardiola said a lacklustre performance in the first half led to Manchester City's UEFA Champions League exit after a 3-1 second-leg loss at Monaco on Thursday (AEDT).
City led 5-3 after the first leg but trailed inside 10 minutes when Kylian Mbappe stabbed home from close range, with Fabinho levelling the scores on aggregate before the interval.
Leroy Sane struck from a tight angle after 71 minutes to nudge City back in front on aggregate, but a Tiemoue Bakayoko header from Thomas Lemar's set-piece completed the scoring and sent the hosts through on away goals.
Guardiola hailed the improvement of his side after the break but accepted City did not perform in the first half of the game, replying "45 minutes" when asked why City had failed to reach the quarter-finals.
It is the first time the Catalan has exited the UEFA Champions League at the Round of 16 stage in his coaching career.
"We played an exceptional second half but in the first one we forgot to be there," Guardiola said.
"We are a team who wants to defend aggressively without the ball. In the second half we were much, much better but it was not enough.
"This happens, the opponent was there and we will learn. We have a team with not a lot of experience in these competitions. In the second half we had the chance to score a lot of goals. We didn't and that is why we are out."
Guardiola was particularly disheartened to see a straightforward Lemar free-kick into the box converted by Bakayoko to score the pivotal goal in the tie but City's overall showing disappointed the 46-year-old.
"It is about the little details — set-pieces are so important at this level — but in the first half we weren't like we are," Guardiola said. "That is the only thing I am sad about.
"The opponent can beat you but we were not there and we should have been there. We are going to try to improve but the competition is so demanding and sometimes you have to be a bit lucky in these moments. We were not lucky."
