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Man City stunned in Champions League; Real cruise

2026-01-21 HKT 07:43
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  • Rodri's second half red card capped off a night to forget for Manchester City. Photo: Reuters
    Rodri's second half red card capped off a night to forget for Manchester City. Photo: Reuters
  • Kylian Mbappe bagged a brace in Real Madrid's 6-1 crushing of Monaco. Photo: Reuters
    Kylian Mbappe bagged a brace in Real Madrid's 6-1 crushing of Monaco. Photo: Reuters
Pep Guardiola admitted Manchester City need to "change the dynamic" after their humiliating 3-1 defeat against Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Guardiola's side were blown away by Kasper Hogh's first half brace and a second half strike from Jens Petter Hauge at the ecstatic Aspmyra Stadion.

Rayan Cherki got one back moments after Hauge's goal, but Rodri's dismissal for two bookings left City in tatters as Bodo/Glimt celebrated their first ever win in the Champions League group phase.

Bodo's entire population of only 55,000 people could almost fit into City's Etihad Stadium.

But Kjetil Knutsen's underdogs ignored the huge financial and talent gulf between the clubs to inflict a chastening defeat on the Premier League giants.

City's bid to secure an automatic place in the last 16 hinges on their final group phase game at home to Galatasaray next week.

The 2023 European champions, who failed to lift a trophy last season, are also without a win in their last four Premier League matches, with Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Manchester United leaving them seven points behind leaders Arsenal.

Guardiola struck a despairing tone as he discussed the reasons for City's slump.

"Everything has started to be, since the new year, against us in many, many things," he said.

"I know how good a team Bodo are. I didn't underestimate them. There is not much I know but they reached the semi-final last season of the Europa League and they were fresh in mind.

"We arrived in some departments without important players who give consistency to the team. They are a little bit fragile, as they were last season in a certain period.

"How they fought 10 against 11, a lot of players made a step up, but we have to change the dynamic quick for the next game against Wolves and after that the last game against Galatasaray."

Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe struck twice against his former side Monaco as Real Madrid romped to an emphatic 6-1 Champions League victory to ease tensions around the club.

Vinicius Junior, who was jeered by his own fans during a home win over Levante last weekend, also shone and scored a brilliant goal as Madrid strengthened their bid to claim a top eight finish in the league phase.

New coach Alvaro Arbeloa secured a second win at the helm after replacing Xabi Alonso last week, with his team producing a dazzling attacking display to help fans forget recent disappointments.

Jude Bellingham and Franco Mastantuono were also on target for Los Blancos and Thilo Kehrer bundled a Vinicius cross into his own net as Madrid delivered perhaps their best performance of the season.

"The players won this game, with their effort and their quality," Arbeloa said, after the record 15-time champions moved provisionally second in the league phase table.

"I loved their attitude and their quality, this mentality and ambition is what all Madrid fans want to see."

There were still a few boos for Vinicius at the start but they dried as he reminded Madrid's fans how good he can be.

"The last few days have been very complicated, for all of us, but above all for me because of the whistles, and everyone speaking about me," said Vinicius. "I try to give everything for this shirt and for the club who have given me so much."

Champions League titleholders Paris Saint-Germain lost 2-1 at Sporting Lisbon to jeopardise their chances of a top eight finish and direct qualification for the last-16.

In London, Tottenham handed manager Thomas Frank some respite as they dominated 10-man Borussia Dortmund in a 2-0 win that lifted Spurs into fourth in the Champions League table. (AFP)

Man City stunned in Champions League; Real cruise