Pep Guardiola praises Man City's 'incredible personality' in Real Madrid draw, gives Phil Foden injury update
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ByOli Gent
Updated 10/04/2024 at 00:06 GMT+1
Pep Guardiola told TNT Sports post-match that his Manchester City had shown "incredible personality" in their second half fightback against Real Madrid, after the Citizens trailed 2-1 in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final. The first leg finished 3-3 in Madrid, with goals from Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol putting City 3-2 up, before Federico Valverde's drive levelled with 10 minutes to go.
Real Madrid v Manchester City highlights – UEFA Champions League action as thriller ends in draw
Video credit: TNT Sports
Pep Guardiola has praised the “incredible personality” his Manchester City side showed to come from behind and snatch a 3-3 draw with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Citizens had taken an early lead when Bernardo Silva caught out Andriy Lunin with a sneaky free-kick, before an unfortunate Ruben Dias own goal and Rodrygo’s goals put Madrid in front.
Phil Foden’s wondergoal followed by a scorcher from Josko Gvardiol put the visitors back in the driving seat, but Federico Valverde’s brilliant arrowed volley into the corner with just over 10 minutes to play levelled proceedings.
Guardiola, who has won the UEFA Champions League three times - twice with Barcelona and once with City, said that after his side showed some anxiety on the ball in the first half, they responded excellently in the second.
“We started really well,” Guardiola told TNT Sports.
“They’re so difficult, Madrid, because they defend so well. The pace they have up front is unbelievable. That team is impossible to control. First half, we were a little bit anxious on the ball.
“In the second half, we showed our incredible personality in the way we played because 2-1 is risky, [especially] if you concede another goal in transition. To come back from 3-1 or 4-1 in Manchester would have been difficult and we came back with a lot of composure better in the first half.
“When you’re 76, 77 minutes in at this stadium, it’s an eternity. 3-3, we take it, and we have to win a game to qualify for the semi-finals. We have 95 minutes to beat the kings of this competition. We will go for it and the people will be there. They will score one goal, that’s for sure.”
The Spaniard heaped praise on his third goalscorer, Gvardiol, who had come through a late fitness test to play at left-back.
“We were lucky that he could play today, otherwise it would have been so difficult because we don’t have players at the back,” Guardiola explained.
“He made an incredible effort, not just his goal, but he played really well. We are so happy to have him.”
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'He was grumpy with me!' - Guardiola laughs off Foden substitution
Video credit: TNT Sports
City would have been without a first-choice left-back had the Croat been deemed unfit, with Nathan Ake sidelined through injury and natural full-back Sergio Gomez out of favour.
The Manchester City boss also gave an update on Foden, who was substituted late in the game with an apparent injury, replaced by Julian Alvarez.
“It was a knock,” Guardiola said. “He was grumpy with me because I [subbed him].”
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'So many positives' - Foden on thrilling draw in Madrid
Video credit: TNT Sports
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