Spanish media make their feelings clear on Man City and Pep Guardiola after humiliating Real Madrid defeat

As expected, the Spanish press gave a ruthless assessment of Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City side after they were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid.

Ahead of kick-off, Guardiola stated his team had a "1%" chance of keeping their Champions League hopes alive by beating Los Blancos.

"We have to make it almost the perfect game," he added, a week after his side's 3-2 defeat in the opening leg. "We have to attack. We have to score goals. This is the idea."

According to Opta, City actually stood a 23.9% chance of making it to the last 16 but that number dropped significantly in the fourth minute, when Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring to make it 4-2 on aggregate.

And the in-form Mbappe went on to score a hat-trick as Madrid secured their place in the last 16 with a comfortable victory over City, who were soon ripped apart by members of the Spanish press.

"The Manchester City side that went into the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday was nothing more than an empty shell of what the Manchester team was not so long ago," wrote journalist Alghero Tulleuda Bonifacio for SPORT.

"Lacking the intensity and clarity that Guardiola 's teams are known for, the Mancunians were also unable to be solid in defence or precise in attack."

He added: "The worst of all, however, has nothing to do with tactical aspects or injuries to key players in Guardiola's scheme. The most unequivocal sign of the change of cycle that is taking place at the Etihad is the loss of the desire to win."

MARCA also provided a scathing assessment of City's performance at the Bernabeu.

"Madrid outdid City in everything. With the ball, without the ball, in attack, in defence, in desire, in speed, in attitude, in accuracy," said Roberto Palomar.

Another report from the Spanish publication added: "We cannot remember a feeling of superiority like this against a Guardiola team. Never ever. A great team crowned by Mbappé, who showed why he came to Real Madrid."

Guardiola cut a dejected figure on the Bernabeu touchline. Image credit: Getty

Revelo would claim the defeat to Real Madrid was "one of City's darkest nights" as Guardiola failed to make the Champions League last 16 for the first time in his coaching career.

"The feeling is that Manchester City never believed in the comeback," wrote journalist Jorge C. Picón. "That the "1%" chance that Pep Guardiola spoke of had some truth, although he assured reporters in the press conference before the match that he was lying.

"In fact, the English team experienced one of its darkest nights, being beaten and showing one of the worst images since fighting in Europe."

Thoughts on Wednesday night's game in Madrid? Let us know in the comments.