Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola issued a stark warning to his players following a hard fought 2-1 Champions League victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Despite securing a valuable comeback win against the Spanish giants a result that significantly boosts City's position in the league phase table Guardiola was far from satisfied with the performance. The manager was quick to assert that the team’s current level is "far away from winning the Champions League" and stressed that they must raise their game significantly for the high stakes knockout rounds in the new year.

The immediate impact of the Real Madrid vs Manchester City match on the scoreline was a crucial victory for the visiting side. After falling behind to a goal from Rodrygo in the 28th minute, City showed strong character to turn the game around before halftime. Nico O'Reilly scored the equalizer just seven minutes later, capitalizing on a parried save, and Erling Haaland secured the lead in the 42nd minute by coolly converting a penalty kick awarded by VAR. The 2-1 result saw City move up to fourth in the Champions League table, firmly in contention for one of the coveted top eight seeded spots in the league phase.

The strategic focus of Guardiola’s post match comments centered entirely on the team’s need for better performance in the latter stages of the competition. Guardiola, despite praising his players’ "soul and heart," stated unequivocally, "That level is not quite enough." He pointed out that City had been "comfortably second best" until they equalized, and he knows that the intensity required in the semi finals and final demands a higher standard of play. He specifically referenced the need to improve when facing elite European opposition like Paris Saint Germain and other top Premier League clubs, arguing that the team’s current transitional phase requires new players to live and learn the pressure of such grand stages.

Looking ahead, the future outlook for the Manchester City’s Champions League ambitions rests on the squad's ability to internalize and respond to Guardiola’s demand for improvement. The victory over Real Madrid was a significant psychological boost, confirming the team’s mental toughness and ability to come from behind in the most intimidating environments. Guardiola, however, made it clear that come February and March, the intensity must increase, and the tactical cohesion must sharpen to deliver success. He remains "100% for sure" confident that his new look team will improve, provided they avoid further injuries, setting a clear challenge for the defending champions as they enter the new year.