Photo Credit: Reuters

Pep Guardiola disclosed that Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Manuel Akanji all requested to be substituted prior to Manchester City's tense encounter with Real Madrid, which ended in a heartbreaking quarter-final exit for the English side. Real Madrid clinched victory in a nail-biting penalty shootout, with Antonio Rudiger delivering the final blow from the spot.

As reported by the Daily Express, Haaland's performance fell short of his usual high standards, prompting Guardiola to substitute him at the onset of extra time. Similarly, De Bruyne, who scored City's lone goal in the match, was replaced by Mateo Kovacic in the 112th minute. Guardiola revealed post-match that all three players, including Akanji, sought to be withdrawn from the game due to exhaustion.

"Manu, Erling, and Kevin asked me to make changes," said Guardiola, visibly dismayed by the outcome as Real Madrid celebrated their advancement. "They were unable to carry on."

During the penalty shootout, Bernardo Silva failed to convert his spot-kick, with Kovacic also having his attempt saved by Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. Despite criticism directed at Silva for what was labeled the 'worst penalty ever,' Guardiola refrained from publicly chastising the player. "He expressed his desire to take a penalty, and he is a dependable player," Guardiola commented. "Considering his performance throughout the game, he had a remarkable display."

Although disappointed by the loss, Guardiola commended his players for their collective effort, emphasizing their exceptional performance despite the unfavorable outcome. "I am sincerely grateful to these players for their efforts," he stated. "Their performance was commendable, even though we fell short."

Reflecting on the match, Guardiola acknowledged the challenge posed by Real Madrid and credited their opponent's resilience. "Football is ultimately about securing victory, and unfortunately, we fell short," he remarked. "However, we defended admirably and executed our game plan effectively. Real Madrid proved to be formidable opponents, and we knew we had to be at our best."

Expressing his lack of regret over the team's approach, Guardiola reiterated his belief in the principles of the game. "As a manager, I believe in scoring more goals and conceding fewer," he explained. "We executed our strategy diligently, and although we were exceptional, we fell short of victory. Despite the outcome, I have no regrets."

Guardiola congratulated Real Madrid on their victory while expressing gratitude to his players for their commitment and dedication. "Although victory eluded us, I extend my congratulations to Real Madrid," he concluded. "Our players demonstrated resilience and determination throughout, and for that, I am immensely proud."