Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes his players have overcome their penalty woes, after Kevin De Bruyne’s successful conversion against Newcastle United. The Belgian made no mistake as he gave City the lead in their 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over the Geordies on Sunday. Missed penalties have been an issue for City this season, with Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus, and Ilkay Gundogan all having failed from 12 yards. However, their record has improved, with De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez combining to make it four conversions in a row, which pleases Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola said “Hopefully he can maintain this level because we have struggled a lot this season, We have missed five or six penalties I think – too much – with different takers. We have struggled a lot and I remember many games where we dropped points and now Kevin takes the responsibility. He has scored three or four goals and it is important for us to have his confident personality to continue to score goals. Now, (we have) a semi-final, and we’ll be good, it will be good to arrive at Madrid in the best physical conditions to play these kind of games, A semi-final against Arsenal if we are lucky and play a good game to achieve the final will be the best preparation to win the trophy and to prepare against Madrid.”
