DBasia.news – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola appreciated the performance of his players after confirming the move to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Manchester City only drew 0-0 when they hosted Sporting Lisbon in the second leg of the last 16 at the Etihad Stadium, Thursday (10/3) early morning WIB. However, The Citizens have the right to advance to the next phase because they are superior on aggregate thanks to a 5-0 win in the first leg.
Manchester City did not appear at full strength in the second leg. Guardiola gave playing minutes to a number of his young players.
Even so, Manchester City still dominated the game and created many opportunities. However, poor finishing meant no goals were scored.
Guardiola understands this draw. A landslide victory in the first leg made the foster children appear more relaxed.
“In the second half we went down a bit because sometimes it’s difficult at 5-0. I’m very happy because we deserved to be in the quarter-finals,” Guardiola told BT Sport.
This smooth pace makes Manchester City one of the favorites to win the title. Moreover, they were finalists last season.
Guardiola is very careful about these conditions. He didn’t want Manchester City to be comfortable and eventually slipped, including in the upcoming quarter-finals.
“When I got to the quarter-finals I enjoyed it because I knew how difficult it had been since qualifying for the last 16. When you qualify, every opponent is difficult.”
“Step by step, the club is growing and for many years we were in the Champions League and qualified for the last 16. Now we are again in the quarter-finals and among the eight best teams in Europe.”