Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola was happy with the way Manchester City adapted when they realised early on that their pressing game was not working.
Pep Guardiola said: “They started well, we had a plan to press but it didn’t work, we changed it after 10-15 minutes and played with wingers more inside. Usually they are wider and that is why we add more connections with the midfield players – Phil [Foden], Riyad [Mahrez], Bernardo [Silva], Kevin [De Bruyne], [Ilkay] Gundo[gan], Rodri. All of them had a good quality and after that the game was returned. The first 15 minutes they were better, after the goal in the last 30 minutes of the first half we had an incredible two or three chances to score a goal. In the second half we found a goal and played good. We didn’t concede one shot, we created enough chances to win and finally we are in the semi-finals for the second time in the club’s history. Tonight we are going to celebrate it while thinking about Chelsea in three days.”
City may have been in control as the first half ended but they were going out as the scoreline stood. Having said that they would be coming to Germany to win the game, Guardiola reminded his players at half-time that they could even afford to concede a second goal but simply had to find something themselves. They duly did that, but it was only in the final few minutes did the euphoria spread through the side and the dugout that their job was done.
Pep Guardiola said: “The last five to ten minutes when it was 2-1 and they should have scored three goals we started to believe it, we were so close. The second goal in Manchester from Phil was so important. It’s not the same coming here at 1-1. We spoke about that, we needed to score one goal minimum. At half-time we spoke and said ‘Guys, we have to score a goal. Even if they score to make it 2-0, one goal gives extra time. We have to score. After we made it 1-1, we controlled the game. after that, the quality from Phil’s finish helped us to go to the semi-final.”
