Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola addressed the recent Champions League controversies in his press conference ahead of City's Premier League clash against Brighton. The Spanish coach, who saw his team eliminated by Real Madrid in the round of 16, highlighted how fine margins shape success in European football.

Guardiola on Julian Alvarez's Disallowed Penalty and Atletico's Exit

Discussing the controversial penalty that saw Julian Alvarez's goal overturned by VAR due to a double touch in the shootout against Real Madrid, Guardiola empathized with the Argentine and Atletico Madrid.

"The margins in this competition are so small. Can you imagine being knocked out of the Champions League because of that? Atletico played brilliantly, but a whole season is judged by the finest details," Guardiola stated.

He also referenced Liverpool’s dramatic exit against PSG, emphasizing how even elite teams can fall victim to unpredictable circumstances.

"Liverpool topped their group, and then they drew PSG. It came down to small moments—Alisson was the best in the first leg, Donnarumma in the second. And just like that, you're out. We've experienced this ourselves many times," he explained.

Guardiola Admits City Deserved to Watch UCL from the Sofa

Despite City's premature exit, Guardiola was pragmatic about the situation:

"It doesn’t hurt. We didn’t deserve to be there. I’ve enjoyed watching the competition and learning from the great teams still in it."

The City boss, a three-time Champions League winner, acknowledged the prestige of the tournament but admitted his team must improve to return to the knockout stages next season.

"Hopefully, next time, we’ll be watching from the pitch, not the sofa with a glass of wine," Guardiola added.

Real Madrid Eliminates Atletico in Penalty Shootout

Real Madrid secured their spot in the Champions League quarterfinals after a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Atletico Madrid, following a 1-0 win by Diego Simeone’s side in regular time.

Julian Alvarez, a Champions League winner with City in 2023, had his penalty ruled out by VAR after slipping and making two touches—a moment that summed up the fine margins of European football Guardiola referenced.