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 by 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 by 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 facet’s uncharacteristic struggles this season, with the Premier League’s fifth-place facet now set to move to the Bernabeu subsequent week needing to overturn a aim deficit with a view to attain the final 16.
Stones instructed Amazon Prime: “A number of video games after the Arsenal one [5-1 defeat], I don’t know put it into phrases immediately, it’s so uncooked and irritating for everybody.
“We had 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 occasions as of their previousd 4 seasons.
The England defender added: “We have to see video games out higher. The supervisor mentioned we have to take accountability for what we do on the pitch, I feel we try this. We have to step up when these unhealthy moments occur.
“As we speak we had an amazing alternative to go to the Bernabeu with a 2-1 lead. It’s not executed. We have now to remain constructive, which is tough now. Because the supervisor says we have to take a look at ourselves and take accountability.”
“We had been proper on high initially 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 have now to do higher – it’s so simple as that.
“We have now to maintain a constructive mentality and attempt to put it proper.”
Bellingham: We performed a few of our greatest soccer of the season
Match-winner Bellingham felt Actual had been deserving of the victory after a powerful begin to the sport regardless of going behind and says his late aim may very well be essential forward of the return leg.
He mentioned: “It was a bizarre one. We performed a few of our greatest soccer of the season and ended up behind.
“I feel we had been enjoying effectively and creating quite a bit. We had 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 workforce. 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 dwelling and I’m certain the Bernabeu will come by for us.
It looks as if 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.”
