Goals galore on the horizon
PepbacksCity’sattacktofireonallcylindersagain
MANCHESTER CITY manager Pep Guardiola has backed his attacking players to hit top gear after sealing qualification to the Champions League last 16 with a 1-0 victory at Olympiakos Piraeus yesterday.
City have scored 10 goals in four games of Europe’s elite club competition this season, as many as they have managed in eight Premier League matches, but Guardiola said he had seen enough in the clash in Greece to suggest they were improving.
His team dominated possession for long spells before young midfielder Phil Foden finished off a brilliant team move in the 36th minute to secure the victory and maintain their perfect record in Group C.
“We were much more aggressive to the goal. It’s not easy when there are nine players defending. Everyone was so committed and we attacked with more desire to shoot, to score,” Guardiola told reporters.
“Unfortunately we could only score one goal but the team is alive… We would love to do more, but one day it will come and we’ll break everything.
“We came here to get to the last 16 and we are there aga in , another year. Now we recover as quick as possible and start focusing
on the
Premier League.”
Guardiola was all praise for John Stones after his assured performance at the back that produced another clean sheet in the competition.
Stones stepped in to partner Ruben Dias as the manager shuffled his pack, with the England centreback making just his second start since the opening day of the season and first since the beginning of the month.
“We only conceded one shot on target,” Guardiola told the Manchester Evening News. “They made long balls and our central defenders were outstanding.
“A big compliment for John (Stones) because it is not easy after a long time and with Ruben alongside they make an incredible couple.
“I’m especially happy for him but everyone was so committed and we attacked with more desire to shoot, to score. Now we recover as quick as possible and start focusing on the Premier League.”
After failing to take their chances against Tottenham, City again lacked ruthlessness in front of goal against Olympiakos and should have built on their lead.
Sterling saw a thumping free kick tipped over the bar by Olympiakos keeper Jose Sa, who also thwarted Joao Cancelo after the break, while Bernardo Silva and Foden missed the target from clear openings.
Olympiakos nearly made them pay with their late chances but City saw the game out to make the knockouts.
“Fair play to them, they came out fighting in the second half and made it hard for us,” said match-winner Foden.
“We haven’t had the best results in the league but it’s good we are getting the right results in the Champions League.
“We need to work on scoring more goals in games but we’re creating chances, hopefully one day we’ll get the goals to win games more comfortably.”
Reuters/Agencies