Pep Guardiola says he was more than expecting a tough Champions League game from Danish champions FC Copenhagen on Tuesday night.
City were 3-1 winners in the Danish capital courtesy of goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden.
That means City now hold a two-goal lead ahead of next month’s return leg at the Etihad Stadium and also set an English record of nine consecutive victories in the Champions League.
Having seen Copenhagen defy all odds to qualify from a group including Bayern Munich, Galatasaray and Manchester United, Guardiola believes City’s win should not be underestimated.
Guardiola was expecting a tough clash from Copenhagen
“I know how difficult it is”, he said.
“When people think it is easy, that makes it easy but it is not. Ask Bayern Munich and Galatasaray and Manchester United how hard it is.”
“They are a really tough opponent. We played really good.”
“My job is to warn the players and tell them the attributes we will need and they proved it and felt it. We behaved with the correct personality and patience and everyone was at top, top level.”
“You don’t make this level in last-16 without it. Hopefully we can make the next step and go to the quarter-finals.”
After Bernardo’s brilliant finish just before half-time, the game looked like it would end with a 2-1 scoreline in favor of City.
However, Phil Foden’s late combination with De Bruyne and powerful finish capped a third on the night and some comfort for City ahead of the return leg in three weeks.
While Guardiola is not taking the game as job done yet, he acknowledged the importance of Manchester City grabbing that third goal against Copenhagen.
“The third goal helped us a lot to manage the game more there [at the Etihad]”, said Guardiola.
“We know each other better now so they will prepare something but we will prepare something too.”
“The first game of the last-16 is always dangerous but the players behaved and performed really good again.”
Having closely watched the opposition since the draws were done, Guardiola knew the Danish champions would not try to attack from the onset.
“As a team they don’t come to take the ball – they come to defend the space”, said Guardiola.
“They wait for you to lose the ball. The players don’t press, they defend the space.”
“That’s why you have to be so patient, move them left and right attack them and don’t concede transitions.”
