Pep Guardiola hails ‘incredible’ Man City players after knocking Real Madrid out of Champions League

Goals from Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus were enough to ensure a second-leg victory at the Etihad Stadium

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (Pool via REUTERS)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted both of his side’s goals came from Real Madrid mistakes but was still satisfied with their performance as the progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Strikes by Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus were enough to ensure a second-leg victory at the Etihad Stadium and book City’s place in the last eight, where they will meet Lyon, who knocked out Juventus in Turin.

“When you play against Real Madrid, you realise how good they are,” he told BT Sport.

“We created a lot of chances and we scored two goals with mistakes from them. Especially in the second half, in the first half we suffered with the humidity.

“In the second half they didn’t have much and we created a lot. We were in possession, and it’s not easy because they play man to man in the build up.

“You cannot build up, you lose more balls than usual. But the players made an incredible effort, all of them.”

Gabriel Jesus spoke of the significance of beating a club of Real’s profile at this stage of the tournament, telling BT Sport: “That was so important to us. They’re a top club, Real Madrid, the best club in this competition so far. This is massive.

“I think it’s all about believing. Believe in their mistakes, because we are humans. We can make a mistake, so believe – always. And I press, I press a lot.

“That is one of my powers, press all the time and help my team. I was happy I scored.”