City won 5-0, yet Guardiola was not fully satisfied. What does the Spanish coach think the team needs to improve?

Even a 5-0 win in the Champions League was not enough to make Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola fully satisfied with the performance of his charges. In his post-match interview he said that his team must improve in certain aspects for the next matches.

Manchester City literally outplayed their opponents from Sporting 5: 0. This is a uniquely high result in a Champions League match. It is also enhanced by the fact that it was the opening match of the play-offs, which are usually more cautious, and it was played on Sporting’s ground.

Any coach would have taken his team to heaven for such a result. Not Pep Guardiola, who is often demanding of his charges. That was the case this time too.

What did Guardiola criticise the team in the interview? “We weren’t that good in the transition phase. We defended well and got an incredible result. But as a coach I have to analyse the team’s performance after the game – both the whole team and the individuals. I must not just look at the result, ” Football Espaňa quoted the Spanish coach as saying.

However, Guardiola soon tempered his surprising criticism. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy. I know how tough the Champions League is and to win 5-0 is fantastic. We were very efficient today,” Guardiola concluded.

Even if Guardiola was dissatisfied, it is clear that Manchester City have built a comfortable lead going into the rematch.

The English team is unlikely to lose its five-goal lead at home and will advance to the quarterfinals of the most prestigious club competition in the world.

Source: UEFA, Football Espaňa