Pep Guardiola: Our patience paid off

Guardiola proud of his side after De Bruyne gives Man City slender 1-0 lead over stubborn Atletico

Pep Guardiola praised Manchester City’s patience after Kevin De Bruyne broke Atletico Madrid’s stubborn resistance to clinch a 1-0 win in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Guardiola’s side spent much of the night banging their heads against the red and white wall of Atletico’s massed defence at the Etihad Stadium. But Guardiola sent on Phil Foden midway through the second half and his sublime pass teed up De Bruyne to finally reward City for their territorial dominance. 

“I didn’t expect to win three or four nil. I knew who we were facing. They have been together for many years,” Guardiola said. 

‘It’s a good result’

“They defend so well, so compact and so deep. We were patient. You have to be against these teams. They want you to be anxious. It’s a good result. Unfortunately, we had a couple more chances with Kevin to score again.” 

Pep Guardiola

While Guardiola launched a water bottle in a frenzied celebration that underlined what a testing night it had been for his team, the City boss knows the tie is far from over. “Even a 1-0 lead going to Madrid is tough,” Guardiola said.

“We have to control our emotions. It will be a good test for us, our maturity. We will try to score and win the game.” At the start of a season-defining 11 days for treble-chasing City, this was a qualified success that justified their patient performance. But Atletico have already knocked out Manchester United in the last 16 this season, while Liverpool fell victim to Diego Simeone’s side when the Reds were the holders in 2019-20. 

The Spanish champions will believe they can cause another surprise in the second leg in Madrid on April 13.

Simeone confident

“It’s clear we were playing against an extraordinary opponent. We have to use a great way of defending and without being embarrassed,” Simeone said. 

“We need to be better, see if we can have the ball a bit more in the second leg. Perhaps we can create more difficulties [for City]. We are still in the tie.” 

Crucial two weeks for City

City have no margin for error over the next two weeks as the Premier League leaders host Liverpool, just a point behind them in the title race, on Sunday. 

They head to Madrid next week before facing Liverpool again in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley three days later.

Guardiola has often been criticised for his curious team selections in previous Champions League knockout stage defeats with City.
AFP

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