Pep Guardiola Hails 'Incredible' Manchester City Following Goalless Draw With Porto
By Max Cooper
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on his stars following their 0-0 draw with Porto on Tuesday evening, a result which confirms their progression to the Champions League knockout stages as group winners with a game to spare.
The Citizens had the better of the match, firing 18 shots in comparison to their hosts' two, and completing more than double the number of passes over the 90 minutes. It was a frustrating evening for the visitors, but one which offered their coach plenty of satisfaction at full-time.
Speaking after the game, Guardiola lauded his players for an 'exceptional' performance, applauding them for their determination in securing the objective they set out to achieve - topping the group.
"We played incredibly well. We attacked, we didn't concede one corner, we didn't concede one shot on target," he explained.
"Alongside Benfica they are the best side in Portugal for the quality they have, the physicality they have, how quick they are up front. We played exceptionally well. Unfortunately we couldn't score but we came here to finish first. We are happy, I guess, and Porto as well."
The Catalan coach was gushing with praise for his stars at the end of the match, and spoke of the 'huge personality and courage' they possessed over the five matches, in the midst of a testing period and a hectic schedule.
"A big, incredible compliment and congratulations for the team for all the group stage, especially the games we play away. We played with huge personality and courage.
"In this period - and with the way this season has started - the Champions League was tricky. When you lose one or two games or draw, always you have to go to the last game and with the Covid situation and injuries always there would have been a risk.
"But we have done an incredible group stage. I know it is (considered) a disaster if we are not able to do it but we know the other groups were difficult - incredible teams are finding it difficult to qualify.
"So this competition is really, really difficult. If you slip one or two games everything is going to be complicated from the beginning."
Their impressive return of 13 points from five games means that Man City have nothing to play for in their final fixture with Marseille, leaving Guardiola to concentrate on Premier League battles with Fulham and then Manchester United.