‘We need to control our emotions’: Pep Guardiola urges Man City stars not to be upset with Atletico’s dirty tactics after he stepped in when Jack Grealish was targeted by Diego Simeone’s players
Pep Guardiola urged Manchester City to keep their emotions in check at Atletico Madrid next week.
The narrow 1-0 win on Tuesday night threatened to spill over late as substitute Jack Grealish was regularly targeted by Diego Simeone’s side.
Angel Correa was cautioned after kicking a ball at Grealish when the forward was down. Guardiola ran onto the pitch and reportedly shouted ‘You’re mad’ at Correa.
Pep Guardiola urged Man City to keep their emotions in check at Atletico Madrid next week
The City boss expects similar scenarios for next Wednesday’s second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano but urged his side not to respond to provocations.
“We have to control our emotions and do what we have to do,” said Guardiola. “There will be a referee there. Atletico have known the knockout stages before and it will be a good test for us given our maturity.
“The referee is here. It’s not my job. Jack was really responsive and focused on what we needed to do.
Kevin De Bruyne’s strike in the 70th minute proved the difference and the City playmaker was frustrated with Atletico’s defensive game plan.
Second-half substitute Jack Grealish was regularly targeted by Diego Simeone’s side
Angel Correa was cautioned after kicking a ball at Grealish when the forward was down
Guardiola insists Grealish “reacted really well and was focused on what we needed to do”.
“It’s very difficult,” said De Bruyne. “They played with almost five at the back and five in midfield. I commend anyone who says anything [about us]that they try to play against it on the training ground.
“We must remain calm and not try to interfere with their action. That’s how they play. A zero is a zero. I expect the same there. When the game is tight they have to attack a little bit more.’
Guardiola added: “Kevin is in the best moment of the season. Sharp, fast. His influence is enormous. Atletico are the masters of defending all together and it’s very difficult [to break them down].’
Guardiola expects Atletico – who haven’t scored a single shot on goal – to show more adventure next week, although Simeone said his team shouldn’t feel “embarrassed”, defending with determination and waiting for time.
“We played against an exceptional opponent,” he said. “The statistics speak for themselves. They are very dynamic. We want to pull through with the tools that are available to us. We defended really well, a tremendous team effort. We could have attacked a little better on the counterattack.
Kevin De Bruyne’s 70th-minute strike proved the difference in Tuesday night’s first leg
“Let’s see if we can have the ball a little bit more and give our opponents more trouble, but that comes from staying calm and having the collective defensive effort. I was shown how to keep up in every possible way to the end.’
Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak said: “You don’t have to go crazy because it’s a long game. You must be cold-blooded and seize the chances we will have.
“Any team that would have played here today would have played the same way we did. Give them space and they can punish you. In Madrid we have to be a bit more aggressive. That’s the only way we can get through.’