John Stones was left “offended” and “annoyed” by Manchester Metropolis’s late collapse in a 3-2 defeat by Actual Madrid of their Champions League knockout play-off first leg.
Actual secured the victory via two late targets by Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham after Erling Haaland had put Metropolis forward from the penalty spot within the eightieth minute.
Metropolis led via Haaland’s first of the sport after 10 minute earlier than Kylian Mbappe levelled the sport within the second half forward of the dramatic finale on the Etihad.
It continues Pep Guardiola’s aspect’s uncharacteristic struggles this season, with the Premier League’s fifth-place aspect now set to move to the Bernabeu subsequent week needing to overturn a purpose deficit as a way to attain the final 16.
Stones informed Amazon Prime: “A couple of video games after the Arsenal one [5-1 defeat], I don’t know methods to put it into phrases right away, it’s so uncooked and irritating for everybody.
“We have been within the sport till so late after which it’s two conditions that occur and we concede. It’s irritating as a defender to return away with that consequence.
“It’s a sense of anger and frustration.”
IT’S HAPPENED AGAIN!
Man Metropolis AGONY on the Etihad as Actual Madrid lead! 😳#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/vLL8j9Wuz6
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) February 11, 2025
Their late defeat was the ninth time Metropolis have didn’t win after main within the sport, which is as many instances as of their previousd 4 seasons.
The England defender added: “We have to see video games out higher. The supervisor stated we have to take accountability for what we do on the pitch, I believe we try this. We have to step up when these unhealthy moments occur.
“Immediately we had a fantastic alternative to go to the Bernabeu with a 2-1 lead. It’s not completed. We’ve to remain optimistic, which is troublesome now. Because the supervisor says we have to take a look at ourselves and take accountability.”
“We have been proper on prime in the beginning of the sport and we all know Actual have high quality to return out within the second half. It’s avoidable from us because the eleven on the pitch. We’ve to do higher – it’s so simple as that.
“We’ve to maintain a optimistic mentality and attempt to put it proper.”
Bellingham: We performed a few of our greatest soccer of the season
Match-winner Bellingham felt Actual have been deserving of the victory after a formidable begin to the sport regardless of going behind and says his late purpose could possibly be essential forward of the return leg.
He stated: “It was a bizarre one. We performed a few of our greatest soccer of the season and ended up behind.
“I believe we have been enjoying effectively and creating rather a lot. We have been all the time assured all through the sport that one thing would drop for us.
“I don’t care what kind Metropolis are in they’re nonetheless an unbelievable staff. It’s all the time tough to play towards them and we lastly took the prospect on the finish.
“It’s all the time good to take a lead again house and I’m certain the Bernabeu will come via for us.
It looks like there’s up and downs in these knockout video games. It’s not simply sport administration, it’s tactical and it’s physiological as effectively.”