John Stones admitted that it had remained “anger and frustration” after Manchester City conceded two late goals to lose 3-2 against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
The result leaves City a mountain to climb to progress from its Champions League qualifiers before the return match in Madrid next week.
The Pep Guardiola team led 2-1 four minutes before the goals of the former youth city Brahim Díaz and the midfielder of England Jude Bellingham.
“We were in the match until late, then these are two situations that occur and we concede,” Stones told Amazon Prime.
“It is frustrating as a defender to leave with this result. It is a feeling of anger and frustration.
“We have to see the games better.
This is not the first time that this City season has paid the price for a late collapse. In the Champions League alone, they threw tracks against the Sports CP, Feyenoord, Paris Saint-Germain and now against Madrid.
“After 2-1, it happened what happened several times this season,” said Guardiola at a press conference.
“Against Feyenoord, Sporting, Brentford, (Manchester) united. In the end, we give. At this level, it is so difficult. It is not the first time, it happened several times, and C ‘ That’s why it’s difficult.
“We talk about it, but it’s difficult. It happened several times.”
City will have to win in Bernabeu next week to have any chance of reaching the round of 16.
Madrid only needs a home print to progress and Stones admitted that it was “difficult” to “stay positive” after having went so close to Madrid in advance.
“We had an excellent opportunity to go to the Bernabeu with a 2-1 lead,” said Stones. “It is not done. We must remain positive, which is difficult now.”
As the director says, we have to look at and assume responsibility. “It is avoidable as eleven on the field. We have to do better, it’s as simple as that. We have to keep a positive mentality and try to say them.”
