Pep Guardiola hails ‘really good’ Man City response in Champions League opener
Pep Guardiola felt his team were given a useful test after coming from behind to begin their Champions League defence with a 3-1 win over Red Star Belgrade.
The holders were stunned when the Serbian champions claimed a shock lead on the stroke of half-time through Osman Bukari in Tuesday’s Group G clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Yet as they did in the Premier League at West Ham last weekend, they hit back to win after the break, this time with two goals from Julian Alvarez and one from Rodri.
City manager Guardiola said: “At the end, going in at half-time 1-0, after what we’ve done that’s nice – after winning the treble we need to be the type of champions who prove to ourselves that we are able to make a comeback.
“In this situation it’s nice to prove it. In both games we played incredible and immediately at the start of the second half.
“We have things to improve in general but that’s really, really good.”
Guardiola was particularly impressed with the performance of his goalscorers.
Alvarez has benefited from a run in the side this season while Rodri, match-winner in last season’s final, continues to excel.
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