Manchester City boss admitted that the game against Leipzig was never going to go the way that some people were expecting
Manchester City drew with RB Leipzig 1-1 in the Champions League in the first leg of their last 16 tie. Ryiad Mahrez scored for City in the first half. However, RB Leipzig came back stronger in the second half and controlled the game pretty well. Eventually, they were rewarded for it as Josko Gvardiol headed it home to equalize the match.
Pep Guardiola was ‘happy’ with City’s performance
Following the disappointing draw, the Manchester City boss told BT Sport: “People expect we are going to win 5-0, that’s not a reality. It is past the group stage in a very competitive competition and many important teams around.
“It is difficult, we knew this, our fourth game in 10 days, the away games, the travels and the people expect [wins]…
“I know we are a good team, and we continue to do good things. But people expect we come here and win 4 or 5-0, we are not able to do this.”
“I’m happy for the whole game, not just the first half. What do you expect? We play a friendly game here?”
Guardiola was frustrated with the result and how they performed in the second half but was “happy” with the performance overall.
“They make a step forward, they pressed everyone high up, more problems in the build-up,” he said when asked about the second half.
“After the goal we conceded, we came back – we made a good last 15, 20 minutes. We had good chances, both sides in both halves, and now we go back to Manchester to decide it.”
“I’m happy for the whole game, not just the first half. What do you expect? We play a friendly game here?”
Guardiola didn’t use any of his 5 substitutions. When he was asked about his decision, the Spaniard admitted that he considered introducing Foden.
“I saw the team good, especially in the middle,” he continued. “I thought about Phil, but at the end I decided to continue with what I had.
“Bernardo [Silva] was giving a lot of control and I thought we could win it.”
