Raphaël Varane accepts responsibility for Manchester City defeat

Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane took the blame for his side’s Champions League defeat at the hands of Manchester City on Friday night.

Speaking to Movistar, the Frenchman said: “This defeat is mine. I have to assume that. This defeat is my responsibility. We prepared well for it, but mistakes cost you. I can’t explain the mistakes – it can happen in football. I’m sad for my teammates. When it was 1-1, we had a chance to go through and today it didn’t go well. This has not happened to me very often before. You have to have the character to come back stronger.”

Raheem Sterling put City ahead after Varane lost possession to Gabriel Jesus with just nine minutes played. Karim Benzema headed home for Los Blancos, before Jesus restored City’s lead after Varane made a mess of a header and then failed to pass back to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

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