The Argentine global missed the derby victory through suspension, but is free to play in European fixtures despite having two domestic games remaining on that ban. “What only we can do is play every time better and people say I spend 90 minutes there and I have fun”.
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But the man tasked with taking City to the next level as a club wants that to be left behind in order to make it easier for him and the team to succeed.
After a big win for City in the Manchester derby, Guardiola is thrilled that his team is healthy and looking in top form so early in the season.
This isn’t helped by Sky Blues stars such as Nolito constantly hinting that they are keen to play in front of pack-out crowds, or when their Champions League qualifier looks particularly empty.
Aguero completed his hat-trick in the 77th minute from close range after being set clear by Raheem Sterling and Kelechi Iheanacho made it 4-0 in stoppage time. “We knew they’d press us high, particularly the first 25 minutes, and exert their power on us”.
“Our fans have to know we need them in the Champions League”. The coach always created a lot of problems for us when I was at Bayern.
City supporters have jeered the music since CSKA Moscow fans managed to watch a game against them in 2014 despite the game supposedly being played behind closed doors as a punishment for racism.
“That shows how good he is, after three or four months out”, Guardiola said.
“Manchester City were very clever”, he said.
In the day’s other Group C game, Barcelona crushed Celtic 7-0. In the Premier League everyone comes here but in the Champions League they don’t.
He added: “He’s an awesome player”.
Gundogan won the penalty that brought City’s second goal when he was caught on the back of the leg by Christoph Kramer, although contact may have occurred just outside the box.
“Today was the most important game in the season”.
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“City offered us to spend the next night in the academy”. We are not happy with that, but we have to take it like it is. “There were less fans here, but the ones who were here did a fantastic job”.
