Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola told his attacking stars that it is their “responsibility” to convert the many chances created for them after a frustrating first half against Red Star Belgrade in the Uefa Champions League.
The Premier League champions dominated the opening 45 minutes, pinging 22 shots at the visitor’s goal but could not breach the net. The Serbian outfit broke the deadlock just before the break with their first attempt through Osman Bukari.
The Treble winners hit back immediately after the interval with a goal from Julian Alvarez, who grabbed a second on the hour mark when goalkeeper Omri Glazer flapped at his inswinging free kick.
Rodri continued his fine goalscoring form this season with an insurance goal in the 73rd minute, confirming a winning start to Man City‘s Champions League defence.
“The last two games I didn’t know how many chances we missed,” Guardiola told TNT Sports.
“We played really really good but we were not able to score goals. We were consistent and in the end we won the game.”
He continued: “Having 22 shots on goal means you are playing really good. It has to be the responsibility of the people in front to have to score the goals. If we scored two goals early in the beginning it would’ve been completely different.
“We played like West Ham another fantastic game. We missed chances but we were able to create these many sorts of chances and we will win the games.”
When asked what he told his troops at half time to inspire the turnaround, Guardiola said: “I said ‘guys, we cannot say we are playing bad. Forget the result, we are able to come back so go for it and be more calm’. We did it.”
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