Real Madrid players 'were SHOCKED by Man City's decline' as stars branded them 'physically bad' during their two-leg Champions League triumph

Real Madrid players are thought to have been shocked by the physical drop off of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side this season after beating the team both home and away to end their Champions League hopes. 

The Spanish giants had met with the all-conquering City team under Guardiola four times previously before their play-off phase encounter, with the spoils shared equally – and Carlo Ancelotti’s players were anticipating another jeopardy-filled battle. 

Instead, Los Blancos met with a team faltering across all competitions after a tumultuous autumn period saw their Premier League title hopes all but extinguished. 

Real Madrid came away with a one-goal lead after a late 3-2 victory at the Etihad last week, but firmly hammered the nails into Man City’s coffin within the opening four minutes at the Bernabeu thanks to a blistering opener from Kylian Mbappe. 

The France captain added two more goals to his tally to pull off a dazzling hat-trick on home soil and knock the wearied visitors out of Europe. 

But as per Spanish outlet Marca, Man City’ 3-1 defeat in the capital came as little surprise to the hosts, after they were shocked by the serial winners’ first-leg performance. 

Kylian Mbappe provided the fireworks in the second-leg match on Wednesday with a hat-trick

There is thought to be a belief at the Bernabeu that Pep Guardiola’s side are not the force they once were

Real Madrid began the Etihad tie with the belief that they were playing the Man City of seasons past, but are believed to have questioned their hesitant play at half-time, with a number of players thought to have wondered what they were doing. 

Coming out a more aggressive force on the front-foot against weakened opponents, a strong second-half showing allowed Jude Bellingham’s late winner to neutralise Erling Haaland’s brace.

Real Madrid players are said to have been surprised by the difference in Man City’s attacking quality, and been particularly confused by their poor physicality, inspiring them to press with more force. 

The team are also thought to have noticed the number of gaps Man City’s play allowed for, which they exploited with some success. 

Ancelotti’s side are thought to have understood then that Guardiola’s project had run its course in terms of the threat it could provide them, and although boosted by the absence of Haaland in the second leg, had a clear playbook from which they could thrash Man City away from home. 

The storied Italian manager confirmed as much in his post-match press conference, noting that his side had been capable of being the ‘best version’ of itself. 

‘We played very well. It was complete, especially defensively,’ Ancelotti said at full-time. ‘It was a game well done. We wanted to do it that way. 

‘We aimed to repeat the good things from the first leg. We controlled the opponent’s possession well. And then when you put this in, there’s the quality.

‘It was a good game. They have learned what to do very well. This tie strengthens us. We have brought out our best version.’ 

Man City will now focus on keeping their spot in Europe’s top-flight next season, sitting in a febrile fourth place in the Premier League, just one point ahead of chasing fifth and sixth, Bournemouth and Chelsea. 

But should Guardiola have some concern over performances to come, his mind might be eased by England’s coefficient score across UEFA’s competitions. 

On the heels of the play-off phase, English teams are in the strongest position at the top of the standings to gain an extra Champions League place next term. 

Man City were the only English team to drop out of Europe, with Aston Villa, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham all still in contention across the three competitions.