Pep Guardiola’s ugly habit reared its head once more as Manchester City suffered another collapse in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
City looked poised to arrive in the Spanish capital next week with a one-goal lead after Erling Haaland successfully converted his 80th minute penalty following a foul on Phil Foden.
The strike, the Norwegian’s second of the game and 49th in just 48 European Cup games, came after Kylian Mbappe had restored parity for Real Madrid in fortuitous fashion. But City were seemingly determined to throw away another lead and conceded twice in the final four minutes at the Etihad.
Post-match, Guardiola was seen with scratches on his head, presumably sustained during a nerve-wrecking 90 minutes in the home dugout.
It is the third time fans have spotted self-inflicted marks on the Spaniard’s face after matches in the Champions League this season, with the first coming after City’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Feyenoord in November.
He was again seen with scratches on his head after City’s final group phase win over Club Brugge last month.
Pep Guardiola was seen with scratches on his face after Manchester City’s 3-2 defeat by Real Madrid
City lead 2-1 with only four minutes to play at the Etihad but they threw their advantage away
Real Madrid head into next week’s second leg at the Bernabeu with a one-goal advantage after their stunning fightback
After Tuesday’s defeat by Real Madrid, Guardiola said: ‘Today was tight and in certain times we had chances. Many games at the end we give away. In that level it is so difficult. It is not the first time, it happens many times.
‘There are mistakes in similar areas. It is difficult to manage but yeah, it happens many times. Players take decisions in the moment, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. We arrived in the last minute with the result but we could not keep it.
‘It belongs to all of us, not just the players. I have not a problem to accept that it doesn’t work like it worked in the past. It is all of us.
‘They want it, how they run and how they do it but the truth is that we are not stable enough in the moments. At the end, today is what it is and after tomorrow we have to continue to learn.
‘There are many, many good things that we played. The result is what it is. Of course we did many good things, things can improve and always give credit for the opponent and the quality they have.’
Earlier this season, Guardiola said that he wanted to hurt himself after City threw away a 3-0 lead against Feyenoord.
He later apologised for the comment as some had felt that his comments glorified or made light of self-harm.
‘I was caught off guard with a question at the end of a press conference last night about a scratch which had appeared on my face and explained that a sharp fingernail had accidentally caused this,’ Guardiola wrote.
‘My answer was in no way intended to make light of the very serious issue of self harm.
‘I know that many people struggle with mental health issues every day, and I would like to take this moment to highlight one of the ways in people can seek help, by calling the Samaritans hotline on 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.’
City’s defeat leaves them with an uphill battle to remain in the Champions League this term.
Guardiola’s side travel to the Bernabeu next Wednesday after a clash against Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
