Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola lauded his players’ determination after they came from behind to secure a 2-1 Champions League victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

City struggled in the opening 30 minutes, with Real Madrid dominating early play and Rodrygo giving the hosts the lead. However, Nico O’Reilly’s equalizer and Erling Haaland’s penalty turned the game around, earning City three crucial group-stage points.

Guardiola admitted his team had been second best in the early stages but praised their character in bouncing back.

“We’ve been here several times and played much, much better than today and didn’t win,” Guardiola said of City’s previous trips to the Bernabeu. “In the first 25 minutes, until the goal from Nico, they were much better than us. I will take the result, but I know we need to be better. In February and March, if we go through, the level required is higher than today.”

After taking the lead, City displayed greater composure, with Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden troubling Real’s defense in the second half. Guardiola singled out Doku for special praise.

“Every time we lost the ball, they threatened, especially with Vinicius Jr., many, many times,” he said. “It was good to score because it helped us get back into the game. Jeremy Doku was outstanding today, like other players too. It was a good experience, especially for many new players visiting this stadium for the first time, where it is so tough to play.”

Guardiola concluded: “I have to be so grateful to the players. I’m happy. We’ve fought many battles here in the last few years, sometimes playing much better but not winning. This is a reality.”

City now sit fourth in their group with 13 points. Guardiola will hope his team can carry this resilience into the final two group-stage matches to secure a top-eight finish and direct qualification to the round of 16.