Spanish media make their feelings clear on Man City and Rodri banner after Real Madrid pull off shock win

Manchester City and Pep Guardiola were torn apart by the Spanish press on Tuesday night after they "let the game slip" in their Champions League knockout clash against Real Madrid.

A late effort from Jude Bellingham has given Los Blancos a one-goal advantage going into their second leg next week as goals from Kylian Mbappe and Brahim Diaz sealed a dramatic 3-2 win.

It was another disappointing result for City, who threw away the lead on two occasions.

And after the full-time whistle in Manchester, the Spanish press ripped into Pep Guardiola and his underperforming side as they stewed on recording their 12th loss of the 2024/25 campaign.

A columnist for Spanish outlet Sport wrote that City has "aged Guardiola badly" amid their poor form.

"Manchester City is a club in the dismantling room," read another piece from the publication. "And Real Madrid, despite being torn apart every year due to injuries, showed themselves to be a complete rival at the Etihad."

Ahead of kick-off, City fans displayed a banner with an image of Rodri kissing the Ballon d'Or alongside the words: 'Stop crying your heart out'.

In regards to the banner, Sport mentioned that Vinicius was "spurred on" by the message, adding: "The match became tense from the tifo, in which the home fans relived the episode of the Ballon d'Or that Rodri snatched from Vinicius."

Spanish outlet Marca suggested losing on Tuesday night would have been an "injustice" to Madrid, who were "better for most of the match".

David Bernabéu, who was working as a pundit for Marca, went on claim that this current Manchester City team is "the worst Pep has ever coached in his career".

He added: "City have lost 12 games this season, which is almost as many as they have lost in the previous three seasons. I didn't find it strange, the game was a reflection of what we've been saying: Madrid are in the ward and City are in the ICU.

"Guardiola isn't to blame for Ederson messing things up. I didn't like Madrid either. Two years ago, City would have run over them. I think it's impossible for this City to knock out Madrid at the Bernabéu."

Vinicius was named the Player of the Match after Real Madrid beat Manchester City. Image credit: Getty

Mundo Deportivo went on to label Pep Guardiola's side as "fragile" after the defeat, while Relevo commented on Vinicius' performance.

"The home fans wanted to tease one of the rival stars, Vinicius Junior, and the white team with a banner that caused a great stir," they wrote.

"They have not forgotten what happened at the Ballon d'Or and they were proud of the winner, Rodrigo Hernández, although the most striking thing was the phrase that accompanied his image."

They added: "Vinicius responded to Manchester City's darts in the best way he knows how: on the pitch."