Pep Guardiola has pinned Manchester City's failure to win the Champions League on one guilty party: Real Madrid. City secured their place in the Champions League knockout stages for the tenth consecutive season on Tuesday night, a goalless draw away at FC Copenhagen proving to be enough after Sevilla and Borussia Dortmund played out a 1-1 draw later in the evening.
City did not have their finest evening on an evening that was overshadowed by the chalking-off of a wonder-strike from Rodri.
Riyad Mahrez then spurned a chance to put City ahead from the penalty spot, before Guardiola's side then had to play 60 minutes with ten men following the dismissal of Sergio Gomez for a last-man foul. READ MORE: Erling Haaland's only downside becomes clear in Man City draw vs FC Copenhagen Now that progression to the last-16 has been secured City can turn their attention to securing top spot in Group G, before then plotting how to win the competition for the first time in the club's history.
After Tuesday's match Guardiola was asked why - despite enjoying unparalleled domestic success at the Etihad Stadium - his side have been unable to lift European football's top prize. "Because Madrid is always there," he answered dryly.
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