Pep Guardiola has subtly warned Manchester City’s rivals that they will only improve after defeating Real Madrid in their home stadium.
With a 2-1 victory at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, City moved up to fourth place and increased their chances of automatically qualifying for the knock stages of the UEFA Champions League.
It was City’s fourth straight victory across all competitions, and as a result, they are now only two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
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However, Guardiola is confident that his team “will be better” in February and feels they have more gears to go through.
“We are (far) away,” the City manager told TNT Sports post-match. “Still we are not ready. In February, we will be better.
“We have been here in the past, playing much than today, and we have lost. That’s football sometimes.
“The players made an incredible effort, it was an incredibly good result, the spirit is unbelievable, but there are still margins to improve.”
After Rodrygo put Real ahead, goals from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland in the first half completely changed the course of the match. Madrid eliminated City when both teams squared up in the play-offs for the proper knockout stages last season.
According to a new rule UEFA established this season, Guardiola’s team would have home advantage until at least the semi-finals if they finished in fourth place.
City will visit Crystal Palace on Sunday, the day after Arsenal play Wolves, who are at the bottom of the league. Then, Guardiola’s side will host Brentford in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals.
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