Pep Guardiola has said he is culpable for Bayern Munich’s Champions League semi-final defeat against Real Madrid.
Madrid won 4-0 at the Allianz Arena to take a 5-0 aggregate victory and book a place in the final, where they will play either Atletico Madrid or Chelsea.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were victorious despite being starved of the ball for much of the two games, with the suggestion made that Bayern’s desire to dominate possession was the root cause of their defeat.
Madrid counter-attacked with speed after dispossessing Bayern but Guardiola said the defeat was due to a poor performance and not his obsession with having the ball.
He did however hold up his hands and admit to making mistakes, Marca reports.
“I was wrong on some tactical issues. It’s my responsibility. When you don’t play well, these things happen against great rivals. I’m disappointed,” Guardiola said.
“Congratulations to Real Madrid because they deserve to be in the final, especially after the first-half [in the second-leg].
“It’s difficult for me and my players. I’m still proud of them. For many periods they had the ball.
“The reason for the defeat isn’t related to the possession. Football is played with the ball and then there are other things.
“When you run after them you don’t have options. Today wasn’t good.”
Guardiola was asked if he had considered resigning his post at Bayern after failing to match the achievements of last season, when under Jupp Heynckes Bayern won the treble.
“I’m not tired, nor do I want to leave,” the former Barcelona Coach replied.
“This team has to win everything so that people are happy. Sometime it’s not possible. I’m sorry for the disappointment of not playing well.
“Three years ago Bayern won zero titles in a season. If you win the League it may be enough but we knew that this year could only equal the past. We won’t but that’s the sport.
“Today there has been a team that has been better. I still have the impression we’ve had a good Champions League but Real Madrid had the quality and the first-half won it for them.”
Guardiola lamented his side’s inability to defend set-pieces and admitted this defeat ranks as one of his worst moments as a Coach.
“We conceded two goals from set-pieces. We played really bad. That’s the only reason and there is no other. It’s football,” he said.
“Everything happens if you play well. I’ve had several hard shots and this is one of them.”
