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Guardiola praises his City players after Dortmund victory

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has hailed his side’s attitude and commitment following their narrow win over Borussia Dortmund.

Pep Guardiola was left impressed by the mentality of his City players and insists they will go to Dortmund to win and not to defend.

Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring at the Etihad Stadium in the 19th minute before Jude Bellingham controversially had a goal disallowed for a foul on Ederson.

Dortmund skipper Marco Reus brought the visitors level in the final ten minutes but there was drama late on. Phil Foden tucked home a last-gasp winner to give Guardiola’s side a 2-1 victory on the night.

“I want to congratulate the players,” the City boss told the club’s website.

“How they stuck together. The quality of the opponent, not because we were not able to do it, how much we fought and stuck together to the end.”

“We won in the end, now we know each other quite well. First Leeds, and then we will take time to see them and go there to win the game.”

“They had that chance from Haaland from a long ball and Ederson made an incredible save – but no more.”

“After 1-0, we took the game to our rhythm and Phil had chances. In the last 30 minutes, he was our threat, if we could score goals in that moment, the game would be completely different.”

‘We were there and the reaction after 1-1 when you could become crazy we didn’t. We won the game.’

Guardiola admitted that pressure was on his City side due to their Premier League form but praised them for keeping their composure on the big stage.

“Second half was better. When you win 26 games in 27 and they are not winning the Bundesliga, the pressure is on our shoulders,” he added.

“Everything is guaranteed for us. Everybody believed we would win. We had an incredible commitment and desire to go through.”

“Now we fly there at 2-1- always they score but we will adjust a few things we could not do today.”

“In a calm way, the best way possible, the game we played and see what we can do better.”

“We will go there to win the game. I ask the players to win the game. We did it and now we go to Dortmund not to defend.”

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