Guardiola praises Manchester City's emotional stability in pulsating draw at Real Madrid

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola praised his team for their emotional stability after claiming a 3-3 draw away to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals first leg on Tuesday night.

In a pulsating match at the Santiago Bernabeu, Bernardo Silva put holders City ahead with a low free-kick but Ruben Dias' own goal and Rodrygo helped Madrid dramatically and swiftly fight back to lead.

City's own quick-fire double in the second half through Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol stunned the record 14-time winners, but the hosts snatched a draw through Fede Valverde's scorching volley.

The thrilling match was played in the shadow of a threat by the Islamic State group to target every quarter-final first leg, with a heavy security presence around the Santiago Bernabeu.

Spanish officials said 2,000 police were to be deployed, but the match was played without incident off the field. On it, there was plenty under the closed stadium roof, which produced a thunderous atmosphere.

“I had the feeling it is a process. This result in the first seasons together we would lose 4-1, 5-1,” Guardiola said. “We were not stable emotionally. And being stable emotionally is so important.

“We have an idea and we believe now in what we want to do but it is impossible to control all the time against Real Madrid. You have to stick it. In the first seasons, we would not. Now we are more stable and hopefully in the future we can do better and better.”

Guardiola omitted influential playmaker Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgian said he was unwell shortly before the game. The former Barcelona coach also chose Stefan Ortega in goal over the experienced Ederson, only just back from a thigh injury, while Gvardiol overcame a fitness doubt to start.

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