Pep Guardiola says Manchester City must ensure they get the small details right in their Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid as he likened their late penalty at the Etihad to another infamous European moment versus Tottenham.
City were 2-0, 3-1 and 4-2 ahead in the game against Real in a breathless, end-to-end contest, but the visitors ensured they are only a goal behind for the second leg after Karim Benzema's 82nd-minute penalty, awarded following a handball from Aymeric Laporte.
From a free kick, the ball was headed onto Laporte's outstretched arm and a spot kick was given, with Benzema chipping the ball down the middle as Ederson dived. When asked about the penalty, Guardiola recalled another Champions League handball in a similarly relentless game.
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In 2019, City were 4-2 up in their quarter-final second leg at the Etihad against Tottenham, and one-goal ahead on aggregate, before Fernando Llorente bundled in to draw Spurs level and ahead on away goals. Replays showed that the ball went in off his arm, with rules later changed to rule out such goals, regardless of intention.
"It is what it is," said Guardiola of the penalty decision.
"We were out of the Champions League versus Tottenham when it hit Llorente's hand, today hit his hand. This competition is about details. All we can do is perform. after the opponents are so good. Real Madrid punish you. What we have done with and without the ball, I cannot ask anything else. I say to players, rest, Leeds is the most important thing, after we go to Madrid to win."
Overall, Guardiola was philosophical about City's performance but admitted the scoreline could have been even more favourable for the Blues.
"It was a fantastic game for both sides," he said.
"We did many good things, unfortunately we conceded the goals, we could have scored more. Two games, we have another one.
"We play a fantastic game against an incredible team. The moments they rise into the game in the first half we gave them in terms of our build-up was nervous. But also they press really well, really strong. We played a fantastic game, for us, for Man City, we are so proud. This is about to reach the final, football happens. We go to Madrid to win the game.
"When both teams want to attack, have the quality to play, football is a fantastic spectacle. Congratulations to Carlo and his team, they are so good, the threat they have is always there. But we saw ourselves that we can be there."
