John Stones was left “offended” and “annoyed” by Manchester Metropolis’s late collapse in a 3-2 defeat by Actual Madrid of their Champions League knockout play-off first leg.
Actual secured the victory by means of two late objectives by Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham after Erling Haaland had put Metropolis forward from the penalty spot within the eightieth minute.
Metropolis led by means of Haaland’s first of the sport after 10 minute earlier than Kylian Mbappe levelled the sport within the second half forward of the dramatic finale on the Etihad.
It continues Pep Guardiola’s facet’s uncharacteristic struggles this season, with the Premier League’s fifth-place facet now set to go to the Bernabeu subsequent week needing to overturn a purpose deficit as a way to attain the final 16.
Stones informed Amazon Prime: “A number of video games after the Arsenal one [5-1 defeat], I don’t know find out how to put it into phrases right away, it’s so uncooked and irritating for everybody.
“We had been within the recreation till so late after which it’s two conditions that occur and we concede. It’s irritating as a defender to return away with that outcome.
“It’s a sense of anger and frustration.”
IT’S HAPPENED AGAIN!
Man Metropolis AGONY on the Etihad as Actual Madrid lead!
#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/vLL8j9Wuz6
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) February 11, 2025
Their late defeat was the ninth time Metropolis have did not win after main within the recreation, which is as many instances as of their previousd 4 seasons.
The England defender added: “We have to see video games out higher. The supervisor stated we have to take accountability for what we do on the pitch, I feel we do this. We have to step up when these unhealthy moments occur.
“In the present day we had an ideal alternative to go to the Bernabeu with a 2-1 lead. It’s not completed. We have now to remain optimistic, which is troublesome now. Because the supervisor says we have to have a look at ourselves and take accountability.”
“We had been proper on prime in the beginning of the sport and we all know Actual have high quality to return out within the second half. It’s avoidable from us because the eleven on the pitch. We have now to do higher – it’s so simple as that.
“We have now to maintain a optimistic mentality and attempt to put it proper.”
Bellingham: We performed a few of our greatest soccer of the season
Match-winner Bellingham felt Actual had been deserving of the victory after a powerful begin to the sport regardless of going behind and says his late purpose may very well be essential forward of the return leg.
He stated: “It was a bizarre one. We performed a few of our greatest soccer of the season and ended up behind.
“I feel we had been taking part in effectively and creating loads. We had been all the time assured all through the sport that one thing would drop for us.
“I don’t care what type Metropolis are in they’re nonetheless an unbelievable staff. It’s all the time tough to play towards them and we lastly took the prospect on the finish.
“It’s all the time good to take a lead again dwelling and I’m positive the Bernabeu will come by means of for us.
It looks like there may be up and downs in these knockout video games. It’s not simply recreation administration, it’s tactical and it’s physiological as effectively.”
