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John Stones admitted he was left feeling “anger and frustration” after Manchester City conceded two late goals to lose 3-2 to Real Madrid on Tuesday.
The result leaves City with a mountain to climb to progress from their Champions League play-off ahead of the second leg in Madrid next week.
Pep Guardiola’s team were leading 2-1 four minutes from time before goals from ex-City youngster Brahim Díaz and England midfielder Jude Bellingham.
“We were in the game until so late and then it’s two situations that happen and we concede,” Stones told Amazon Prime.
“It’s frustrating as a defender to come away with that result. It’s a feeling of anger and frustration.
“We need to see games out better. The manager said we need to take accountability for what we do on the pitch, I think we do that. We need to step up when these bad moments happen.”
It is not the first time this season City have paid the price for a late collapse. In the Champions League alone, they’ve thrown away leads against Sporting CP, Feyenoord, Paris Saint-Germain and now against Madrid.
“After 2-1, it happened what has happened many times this season,” Guardiola told a news conference.
“Against Feyenoord, Sporting, Brentford, [Manchester] United. At the end we give away. At that level it is so difficult. It is not the first time, it has happened many times, and that is why it is difficult.
“We talk about that but that is hard. It has happened many times.”
City will need to win in the Bernabeu next week to stand any chance of reaching the round of 16.
Madrid only need a home draw to progress and Stones admitted it was “difficult” to “stay positive” after coming so close to heading to Madrid ahead in the tie.
“We had a great opportunity to go to the Bernabeu with a 2-1 lead,” Stones said. “It’s not done. We have to stay positive, which is difficult now. “
As the manager says we need to look at ourselves and take accountability. “It is avoidable from us as the eleven on the pitch. We have to do better, it’s as simple as that. We have to keep a positive mentality and try to put it right.”
