Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola shared his thoughts on the team’s performance following a crucial 2-1 victory in Madrid.
According to Guardiola, his team was capable of playing even stronger, as playing in this stadium is always challenging. He noted that five or six players experienced this arena for the first time, making the victory even more valuable.
He stated:
"The points are very important. We now have 13 points, and qualifying for the top eight is in our own hands. Winning here after the tough game against Bayer wasn’t an easy task."
Real Madrid’s tactics were unexpected
Guardiola also emphasized that the opponent's playing style did not align with their expectations:
"We started the game with mistakes. I thought Real Madrid would apply high pressing, but they played from the back. This created certain difficulties for us. We are satisfied with the result, but there are still aspects that need improvement."
He also commented on Rodrigo, Vinicius, and Bellingham, acknowledging the threat their speed and dribbling posed:
"Vinicius, Bellingham – they are incredible players. Their speed creates a significant threat. That’s why we need to avoid being trapped in the attacking line and must work tirelessly in defense. We have some shortcomings, and we need to work on improving them."
On Haaland
Guardiola discussed Erling Haaland’s current condition:
"His statistics speak for themselves. However, we need to involve him more in the game. In recent matches, he has become less active. We must find a solution to bring him back into the game."
About the Champions League
The coach expressed that the team is not yet ready to claim victory in the Champions League:
"We are not ready yet. The road to contention is long. By February, we aim to be in an even stronger form."
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