Manchester City misses the chance to continue to fight for the Champions League title Dias: We will not accept failure easily

In the second round of the UEFA Champions League knockout play-offs in the 2024/25 season, Manchester City lost 1-3 to La Liga champion Real Madrid after Nico Gonzalez scored a goal when they were leading by 3 goals. After failing to advance to the last 16 of the Champions League, Manchester City defender Dias said that they would not accept defeat easily and insisted that the only way to improve is to review everything that happened in this game.

Just 4 minutes into the game, Raul Asensio assisted Mbappe to score, giving Real Madrid a dream start with a 1-0 lead. In the 33rd minute, Mbappe received Rodrigo's cross pass, shook off the defense and shot, helping Real Madrid continue to lead Manchester City 2-0.

In the 61st minute of the second half, Valverde passed the ball and Mbappe followed up with a long shot to help Real Madrid expand their lead to 3-0. In the second half stoppage time, Marmus hit the post when he took a free kick, and then Nico Gonzalez made a supplementary shot to help Manchester City pull back 1-3.

In the end, Manchester City lost 1-3 to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu Stadium and was eliminated with a total score of 3-6.

Diaz, 27, said in an interview, "We didn't do well enough. We have to look forward after shaking hands. We still have a lot to improve. We must become stronger. This is football. The game is a contest of moments. We must be good enough at the critical moment. If we can't show our best at that moment, the cruelty of football will be revealed."

"Our disappointment is probably greater than it has been in the past because we don't like losing and we don't like being in situations like this. Not just because we're used to winning every year, but because this is our mentality, our belief, and the air we breathe."

Diaz continued, "Because of this, this defeat is even more painful. But we will not accept failure easily. The only way to improve is to face up to everything that happened in this game, and we were not good enough in this game."

In addition, Diaz added, "I admit this without hesitation. Accepting reality is the only way to move forward and the only way for us to truly reflect on ourselves. Our performance was not as good as our opponents, so they deserved to advance."