Pep Guardiola says he ‘absolutely’ disagrees with midfielder Ilkay Gundogan’s scathing assessment that Manchester City are ‘nervous’ ahead of big European fixtures.
City lost 1-0 at Tottenham in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Tuesday night, with German international Gundogan stating he feels Man City are ‘nervous in important Champions League games.’
Guardiola has dismissed the 28-year-old’s claims, saying he believes his side had ‘control’ of the fixture and praised his side’s reaction following Sergio Aguero’s missed penalty.
“I don’t agree with him, absolutely not,” Guardiola insisted at his pre-match media briefing.
“In the second half it was under control. Our game at Tottenham was much better than Schalke. Sergio reacted incredibly well to the penalty, the team was mentally strong.”
City next travel to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, before hosting Tottenham in the second leg of their last eight tie at the Etihad on Wednesday night.