Guardiola admits Man City 'suffered' against Dortmund; hints of change after Mahrez's latest pen error
Pep Guardiola has admitted his Man City players 'suffered' against Borussia Dortmund as they were 'so tired' after their win over Brighton.
City returned to winning ways at the weekend beating Brighton 3-1 at the Etihad in the Premier League.
Tuesday night they were in Germany to face Dortmund in their fifth match in Group G.
Man City were already assured of a place in the Champions League Round of 16 ahead of this midweek clash.
The visitors were lucky not to be late before the break as Dortmund couldn't take advantage of their chances on the counterattack.
City had a chance to win the game in the second half as they were awarded a penalty.
Riyad Mahrez's effort was saved as he failed to score three of his last four kicks for Man City.
The game ended 0-0 but Guardiola won't be too discouraged as that point was enough for his team to secure first place in their group. This draw also allows Dortmund to take the next step.
City will now focus on the Premier League as they travel to face Leicester City on Saturday.
Ahead of the clash, Guardiola acknowledged Dortmund's dangers by admitting the Brighton game had taken some of City's energy.
"We were successful in the second half and in the first half we conceded some counter-attacks - they are so quick. We suffered as a team, Saturday's game was so tiring," Guardiola said to BT Sport.
"That's what we wanted, top of the group and we'll be in the round of 16 next time, so really good. Dortmund didn't want to press high so we adjusted our pressing a bit. In the first half time we had problems on the left side. Apparently they thought a draw was good for them and for us too."
Taking off Erling Haaland and Joao Cancelo at half-time, he added: "Erling had a bit of a fever before the game. Joao had a little kick in his foot, that's why we changed it."
On whether Mahrez will continue to take penalties after missing again, Guardiola continued: "We'll see what happens. Of course that's a problem - we missed 24 or 25 penalties, most in the Champions League and that's too much.
"I admire the courage to take shots on goal but it's a problem and we have to improve. It's the small margins in this competition.
"Last season he scored a lot in important moments, here when we reached the semi-finals. I admire the courage, but of course we have to improve."
READ MORE: Erling Haaland… The ridiculous stats after his half-decent start to Premier League life
Pep Guardiola has admitted his Man City players 'suffered' against Borussia Dortmund as they were 'so tired' after their win over Brighton.
City returned to winning ways at the weekend beating Brighton 3-1 at the Etihad in the Premier League.
Tuesday night they were in Germany to face Dortmund in their fifth match in Group G.
Man City were already assured of a place in the Champions League Round of 16 ahead of this midweek clash.
The visitors were lucky not to be late before the break as Dortmund couldn't take advantage of their chances on the counterattack.
City had a chance to win the game in the second half as they were awarded a penalty.
Riyad Mahrez's effort was saved as he failed to score three of his last four kicks for Man City.
The game ended 0-0 but Guardiola won't be too discouraged as that point was enough for his team to secure first place in their group. This draw also allows Dortmund to take the next step.
City will now focus on the Premier League as they travel to face Leicester City on Saturday.
Ahead of the clash, Guardiola acknowledged Dortmund's dangers by admitting the Brighton game had taken some of City's energy.
"We were successful in the second half and in the first half we conceded some counter-attacks - they are so quick. We suffered as a team, Saturday's game was so tiring," Guardiola said to BT Sport.
"That's what we wanted, top of the group and we'll be in the round of 16 next time, so really good. Dortmund didn't want to press high so we adjusted our pressing a bit. In the first half time we had problems on the left side. Apparently they thought a draw was good for them and for us too."
Taking off Erling Haaland and Joao Cancelo at half-time, he added: "Erling had a bit of a fever before the game. Joao had a little kick in his foot, that's why we changed it."
On whether Mahrez will continue to take penalties after missing again, Guardiola continued: "We'll see what happens. Of course that's a problem - we missed 24 or 25 penalties, most in the Champions League and that's too much.
"I admire the courage to take shots on goal but it's a problem and we have to improve. It's the small margins in this competition.
"Last season he scored a lot in important moments, here when we reached the semi-finals. I admire the courage, but of course we have to improve."
READ MORE: Erling Haaland… The ridiculous stats after his half-decent start to Premier League life
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