Pep Guardiola’s statements, Manchester City coach, after beating Atletico Madrid (1-0), in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
match: “A very close match and a very difficult game. They are masters of defending together which is difficult. We were able to stop them from running, we didn’t give them chances, we were patient and we got the goal straight. [Phil] Foden and Kevin [De Bruyne].
Simeone’s tactical scheme: “We thought they would play 5-3-2, then they adapted and became 5-5. In prehistoric times, today and a hundred thousand years later, it will always be difficult to attack against 5-5, there are no spaces. Strong, we are small and light It’s a matter of patience. I told them in the first half that we are fine. The match in the second half was disrupted. I already feel that the match in Madrid will be the same as it was in the minutes after the goal.”
Guardiola’s style beats Simeone’s style? “No… I don’t know, I don’t know. We won a match, it’s the second leg and we’ll see. We’ll learn from today’s match, and we feel… We’re trying to be a little better.”
