Pep Guardiola cut a frustrated figure after Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with AS Monaco in the Champions League on Tuesday (September 30).
The City boss admitted that while his team performed well, the late VAR drama left him with little appetite to comment on refereeing decisions.
Man City looked set to take all three points at the Stade Louis II after Erling Haaland’s brace, only for Eric Dier to earn Monaco a 90th-minute equalizer from the penalty spot.
Referee Jesus Gil Manzano initially waved play on, but overturned his decision after consulting the VAR monitor, ruling that Nico Gonzalez’s high boot had made contact with Dier’s head inside the box.
The call sparked heated protests from both benches, but Guardiola cautiously opted to keep his thoughts on the officiating to himself.
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What did Pep say?
“Nothing to say to Spanish referees,” Guardiola declared to TNT Sports after the match.
“We played a really good game. We always try to create more chances and concede few, and that’s what happened.
“They have fast players with their physicality, but we conceded few and we created a lot of chances, considering it is the Champions League, and I’m really pleased for that.
“Of course, we were close, but at the end we could not defend the free-kick well, and we conceded the penalty.
“In football, you have to win with the result. If you analyze the game, there were many things that were good.”
City’s mixed start to the season
City’s form has fluctuated in the early stages of the campaign.
Pep reflects on tonight's #UCL result 💬 pic.twitter.com/VUNguKetDP
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 1, 2025
They’ve already slumped to Premier League defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton, and conceded a late equalizer to Arsenal, though they produced a strong showing in their derby win over Manchester United.
And Guardiola insists that though his side are still finding their rhythm, he remains optimistic they will improve.
“Step by step, we will be better,” the Spaniard added. “We had many chances, and Phil Foden in the first half and many players played really good.
“We conceded almost nothing. When it’s so close, you have to defend and we’ll take the point.”
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