Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP)

"This defeat is for me", assumed the French international defender Raphaël Varane (27) Friday at the microphone of Movistar +, after his two big defensive errors precipitated the elimination of Real Madrid against Manchester City in the round of 16 second leg of Champions League (2-1).

"I want to stand up because in my eyes, this defeat is for me. I have to assume it. I am sad for my teammates, for their efforts. I have my responsibility in the defeat, mistakes pay dearly at this level of competition ", regretted Varane, propelled as defensive captain of Real Madrid in the absence of the usual captain Sergio Ramos, suspended.

"We gave everything on the field, but sometimes you can fail. Today, I failed, and I have to assume it", repeated the captain of the Blues (27 years old, 64 sel.), Who first procrastinated in front of Gabriel Jesus before the first goal of the Citizens (9th), before offering the ball of 2-1 to the same Jesus by badly ensuring a transmission of the head to Thibaut Courtois (68th).

"I have no explanation for these mistakes. It's a complicated night for me. I have to take on my role in the good times as in the bad times. You shouldn't ruminate on this.

"Until 1-1 we had chances to qualify, but sometimes things go well and sometimes they go badly. Today (Friday), for me, it went badly and I have to assume, "he insisted.

Orphan of the iconic captain Sergio Ramos, suspended after the red card received in the 2-1 defeat in the first leg to Madrid, Raphaël Varane nevertheless confirmed that he felt "good" during the match: "Maybe we took a little too many risks at the start of the match and we paid dearly for it. It hasn't happened to me often in my career ... We make mistakes everywhere, but there are areas where they pay off more expensive. That's how it is, there is no more explanation, "Varane said after the match.

"No need to say it, everyone knows that I am sad, that I have to assume it. You have to have character to come back stronger, but it will be a complicated night," Varane concluded.

© 2020 AFP