De Bruyne has revealed that a key ‘Pep’ talk from Guardiola at half-time made the difference as City claimed a comeback win against PSG.
Kevin De Bruyne revealed that Pep Guardiola asked Manchester City’s players to slow their play down and hold onto the ball before inspiring their second-half comeback in Paris.
City will take two away goals into next week’s Champions League semi-final second leg after beating Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 at the Parc des Princes.
De Bruyne inspired the turnaround, canceling out Marquinhos’ first-half header with a cross-cum-shot which deceived goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Riyad Mahrez’s free-kick then gave City a slender advantage, breaking through PSG’s wall.
When asked what Guardiola told the players at half time, the Belgian said to the club’s website: “Just play a little bit more with the ball.
“I think the first half we were too rushed.
“We wanted to go forward too quickly and that’s not the way we are set up.
“Second half we did really well, we tried to find the spaces more patiently.
“I think the second half was much better, I think we put them under pressure.
“They’re a really tough team to play against and I think the progression we made as a team was good.”
De Bruyne also spoke on the element of luck after his lofted cross into the box turned out to be a goal as Navas watched the ball sail into his net.
“It’s set up in the perfect position and is so difficult for the keeper because he always expects someone to touch it,” he added.
“It was great for us, and I think we kept going and obviously with the second goal with Riyad, it’s good for us but there’s still a game to go so we have to concentrate on that.”
City will now travel to Paris next week with a two-goal advantage and fancy their chances of making it to the first-ever Champions League final in the club’s history.
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