Man City's lack of belief and ageing team exposed by ruthless Real Madrid

Manchester City fans unfurled a giant banner before the match, mocking Real Madrid and Vinícius Júnior for their angry reaction to Rodri beating the Brazilian to last year's Ballon d'Or. The banner read "Stop Crying Your Heart Out," accompanied by lyrics from the Oasis hit and a picture of Rodri kissing the trophy while Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony in protest.

However, provoking the most ruthless and experienced team in Champions League history is dangerous, and so it proved. After the final whistle, all the tears belonged to Manchester City and their fans, as Real Madrid secured a potentially decisive 3-2 advantage in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with their trademark late comeback.

Real Madrid's unwavering self-belief and the street smarts honed through years of experience and victories saw them turn a 1-2 deficit into a win in the 86th minute. Carlo Ancelotti's side exploited Manchester City's own lack of confidence. The contrast was stark, with Manchester City visibly wilting in the second half, and they were consumed by anxiety and nerves when their former midfielder Brahim Díaz equalized with four minutes of normal time remaining.

Manchester City have never truly looked assured this season. Real Madrid, equally, never believed they were beaten. Guardiola's side are repeating patterns, this being the fifth time this season they have lost a match from a winning position. Perhaps Manchester City's current state and performance can be seen in the statistic that they have conceded 8 goals in the last 16 minutes of their last five Champions League games, the most of any team.

The team Guardiola currently manages appears to be over-fatigued, with too many players not fully fit, or not fit at all, Rodri being a case in point. The cracks are starting to look irreparable, demanding a major overhaul. Rodri missed the game with a knee injury and could only watch from the sidelines. How they needed his calming influence, strength, and steely resolve on the pitch as Manchester City were once again beaten at the death.

Jack Grealish going off injured after 30 minutes was also somewhat unfortunate, as he looked like a man with a point to prove to his manager. Real Madrid sensed the tension and anxiety that permeated inside and outside the pitch. Jude Bellingham's goal in stoppage time felt almost inevitable as Manchester City's muddled minds led to errors. The England talisman finished from close range after the eccentric goalkeeper Ederson had been lured from his position by Vinícius Júnior's chip.

Given the pre-match banner, Vinícius Júnior understandably savored the moment and reveled in Real Madrid's victory celebrations. It was the perfect riposte. This is Real Madrid, and the game is never over until the final whistle blows. Given Manchester City's current state and propensity to collapse, they will almost need to produce a miracle in the second leg at the Bernabéu. And miracles tend to only happen to the team in white, on that iconic and brutal ground.

The fatigue of Manchester City's players in the second half also spoke volumes, with Real Madrid controlling the game, missing a host of chances before Kylian Mbappé's deflected shot canceled out Erling Haaland's early goal. When Haaland restored Manchester City's lead it was completely against the run of play, and they held on to that lead until Real Madrid's trademark late comeback.

Manchester City may yet turn the tie around in Madrid, but whatever the outcome, this season continues to carry the air of an era coming to an end, a great team reaching its final destination. Ederson, so long a reliable presence in goal during Manchester City's many glorious moments, now looks vulnerable. The great Kevin De Bruyne is 33, and Bernardo Silva, at 30, looks jaded and peripheral.

John Stones tried to act as a defensive shield, but Real Madrid possess too much threat, including Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, with Bellingham always ready to add his own threat, as he did, decisively. Guardiola looked pained and frustrated, at times manic in his technical area, and he said: "It has happened many times this season. I know the strength of Real Madrid. We controlled the game in the second half and tried to attack too quickly. It happens because they are a really good team."

He added: "It has happened many times this season. Bad decisions, that's all. I take responsibility. It is not just about you and me, or just the team, it is about everyone. We are not stable enough. I have been here many years, and we have always been an exceptional team, a machine every three days. This year, I accept the opponent is better than us, but at the moment I don't have the ability to make the team calm in these situations. It is the truth. The responsibility is for all of us, not just the players. It is easy for me to blame a particular player, but it is ridiculous and it doesn't work. First it is me, then the players. The truth is we are not stable enough in those moments. Today is not an exception, it has happened many times. Today it is like that, tomorrow you have to move on with fresh legs and a clear mind."

Guardiola faces the daunting task of securing a victory at the Bernabéu, but there is growing evidence that he also needs to complete a similar task of revitalizing this fading Manchester City champion team.