Guardiola Fumes At Spanish Referees After Man City’s Champions League Draw With Monaco

Pep Guardiola could not hide his frustration with officiating after Manchester City were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The City boss aimed a pointed remark at referee Jesus Gil Manzano and his team after a controversial penalty in the closing minutes denied his side a perfect start to their European campaign.

“Nothing to say to Spanish referees,” Guardiola said curtly when asked about the decision.

“We played a really good game. Of course, we were close, but in the end, we could not defend the free-kick well and we conceded the penalty. In football, you have to win by the result. If you analyse the game many things were good.”

The drama unfolded when Monaco were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review confirmed Nico Gonzalez’s high challenge on Eric Dier.

The late twist sparked heated confrontations on the touchline, with red cards shown as tempers boiled over.

It was a bitter pill for City, who had looked in control for large spells.

Erling Haaland twice put the Premier League champions in front, first with a clinical finish and later with a powerful header. But Monaco refused to fold, equalising through Jordan Teze before Dier’s penalty secured them a share of the points.

For Haaland, the draw felt like a missed opportunity. “Of course it doesn’t feel good, we didn’t win,” he told TNT Sports. “We did things unnecessarily in the second half, and I don’t think we played well enough, we don’t deserve to win, and that’s why.”

The result marks the first time City have dropped points in this season’s Champions League.