Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has praised goalkeeper Ederson as his team’s best player in their 3-2 loss to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League first-leg playoff on Tuesday.

The match at the Etihad Stadium was a dramatic battle. Erling Haaland gave City an early lead, but Kylian Mbappe quickly equalized for Real Madrid.

Haaland then converted a penalty to restore City’s advantage, only for Brahim Diaz to level the score in the 86th minute. In stoppage time, Jude Bellingham secured the win for Madrid with a close-range goal.

Guardiola admitted that in previous meetings with Madrid, City had been the better side, but this time, the game was more balanced.

He highlighted Ederson’s performance, saying the goalkeeper made crucial saves to keep City in the match.

Man City will now look to bounce back in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu next week.