Pep Guardiola says Manchester City must focus on top four after UCL exit

“It’s ok to accept the reality that they were better,” Guardiola said. “In previous seasons when we were playing outstanding, it hurts more than today.

“I always ask of my teams that the team who deserves to win wins all the time but that doesn’t happen in football.

“It’s the reality, so we must reflect on the good things we have done. “We have time to think about it [the team’s future]. Now it’s easy to say, but it’s not the point.

“Losing 2-3 at home was hard to swallow, but even with a good result, I know how good they are. With time, the team and club will accept what it is.”

Manchester City will next take on table-leaders Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has said that the club must look to finish among the top four teams in the Premier League to qualify for next year’s Champions League. The Cityzens were eliminated after suffering a 3-1 loss against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Wednesday night before the Round of 16.

The Sky Blues had suffered a 3-2 loss against Los Blancos while playing at home in the first leg of the playoff round. Meanwhile, Real Madrid talismanic striker Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick for the home team on Wednesday as he found the back of the net in the fourth, 33rd, and 61st minute.

Manchester City is currently in fourth place in the Premier League standings with 13 wins, five draws, and seven losses in 25 matches and they haven’t been at their absolute best in the ongoing season.

“We couldn’t defend well with the movement from Mbappé and it was more difficult,” Guardiola said. “The best team won, they deserve it.

“We have always done a group stage in Champions League seasons — finals, semifinals, but this season in all competitions we have not been good.

“I have the feeling we were better than Real in the previous three seasons, but this time they were better. They deserve it. What we have to do is accept it and move forward.

“We have 13 games in the Premier League to try and be here next season. Nothing is eternal.

“We have been unbelievable and we have to try. We cannot win the league and we have to be in the top four or top five to try to be here again.”

The Spaniard tactician admitted that Real Madrid were the better team than them and deserved to win.