Manchester City suffered a major blow on Tuesday, losing 2-3 against Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League playoff, putting Pep Guardiola's team in a tough spot. Despite the defeat, the Spanish coach did not hesitate to take responsibility for the situation, repeating a phrase he had previously said: "I'm not good enough." This statement, reinforcing the frustration over the team's instability, reflects the pressure Guardiola is under to turn things around.

Known for his demanding nature and pursuit of perfection, Guardiola made a self-critical analysis after the loss to Real Madrid, pointing out the mistakes that have affected his team's performance throughout the season. "Right now, we are not stable," admitted the coach, recognizing that defeats against teams like Manchester United or Feyenoord have exposed City's inconsistency—something they cannot afford at this crucial stage of the season.

The team faces a demanding February. With Newcastle up next in the Premier League on Saturday, followed by the second leg against Madrid in the Champions League, Guardiola knows there is little room for error. The need for a change in mentality and attitude is urgent if City wants to keep competing at the highest level. The schedule, including matches against Liverpool and Tottenham, leaves no time to recover, forcing the "Citizens" to improve quickly if they want to reclaim their dominance.

Despite the emotional setback against Real Madrid, Guardiola remains determined. "We will face Newcastle, then we have to go to the Bernabéu," he said, hopeful that his team will bounce back and turn the situation around. He emphasized that while the result was disappointing, there were positive aspects in their performance that they must build on to overcome this crisis.

John Stones, City's defender, also expressed the squad's frustration and anger after the defeat. However, he made it clear that the team must step up and take responsibility for their decisions and mistakes, especially in crucial moments. The pressure is at its peak for Guardiola and his team, but the season is far from over