Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola was pleased with his team’s performance as they defeated FC Copenhagen 3-1 in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League encounter on Tuesday, with Kevin De Bruyne once again outstanding for the English club.
De Bruyne scored the first and contributed to the two subsequent goals as City survived a difficult away leg at a stadium where rivals Manchester United lost 4-3 in the group stage.
“The biggest players appear on the biggest stages; it’s the hour of truth in the last 16 of the Champions League,” Guardiola said of the Belgian’s efforts on TNT Sports.
“The way we played today was perfect—be patient in the right moment; they are so tight and well organised. I’m really proud of the team again. It’s not done; the third goal helped us a lot, and hopefully we can finish at home.”
For all of the second half, it appeared that City would take a slender one-goal lead against a team capable of pulling off an upset, but Phil Foden’s stoppage-time goal made it 3-1, giving them a two-goal advantage.
“It was important not to lose the qualification here. The game was really well played from minute one. We conceded a goal that was avoidable, but sometimes it happens… but in general, we conceded really, really few,” Guardiola said.
The coach expressed sorrow for winger Jack Grealish, who had to be substituted in the first half after suffering a groin injury.
“It’s a pity because in these types of games we need this type of tempo, the control. Bernardo Silva and Jack help us a lot to make an extra pass in the attack,” Guardiola said.
“It was a pity, but it is what it is,” he added.
