Pep Guardiola was immediately planning for Manchester City’s Champions League clash against Lyon after masterminding victory over Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium. Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus goals either side of the break sandwiched Karim Benzema’s header to secure a 4-2 aggregate win and set up a quarter-final tie with Lyon, who shocked Juventus on away goals. The Ligue 1 outfit were not fancied to knock out their Serie A rivals, but City’s spies are already looking at possible weaknesses in their opposition.
“The first half we played with our wingers more inside, not wider. I think that was a mistake from my side. We corrected in the second half and were better.
“It is important, we beat them twice. Zinedine Zidane never lost knockout games. You see the calm and personality they play with, they are good. We are here to try and win the Champions League. It is one step, if we think that is enough we will show how small we are. If you want to win you have to beat the big clubs.”
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Jesus has enjoyed a run of games in attack due to Sergio Aguero being sidelined by injury.
The Brazilian has had his critics but delivered a masterclass in how to press a defence, with his assist and goal proving crucial.
He said: “Like the last game we can run a lot, we played good with the ball and scored the goals. We beat a top team, the best club in this competition so for us it is massive.
“It is about belief, believe in their mistakes. We are human and can make mistakes so I believe always and I press, press a lot. It is one of my powers. I was happy to score.
“I work to be a great striker, I work every day hard to be like Ronaldo (of Brazil) was. His quality is different from me but I have to work to be a great striker.
“Real Madrid are such a good team, they have a lot of players. They can beat us which is why we came to the pitch to work hard again.
“We have to keep working and stay strong for the next game.”
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