Pep Guardiola says Man City were ‘excellent in every department’ as they came from behind to beat Paris Saint-Germain.
The Premier League leaders won their Champions League semi-final first leg 2-1, despite trailing at half-time.
PSG skipper Marquinhos headed the French side in front from an Angel Di Maria corner.
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They dominated much of the first 45 minutes and could have scored more. Neymar and Leandro Paredes both saw chances go wide of the target.
But it was a completely different story in the second-half. City came out all guns blazing and equalised in the 64th-minute through captain Kevin De Bruyne. His lofted ball missed everyone in the box and found the back of the net.
Riyad Mahrez capped off a stunning comeback with a 71st-minute free-kick. His shot went through the wall, giving Keylor Navas no chance of a save.
Reacting to the win, Guardiola told BT Sport (via BBC Sport): “We started really well. We felt pressure after conceding. Sometimes we have to do more touches. A lot of people, it was their first time in the semi-finals and wanted to do it well.
“The last 10 minutes were good. In the second half we were excellent in every department. Two away goals. We have a hard job in six days [in the second leg].
“Sometimes you need to be more relaxed and be ourselves. The first half is normal – 180 minutes, you don’t want to lose the ball, you don’t play free. We changed a little in the way we press. We were passive [earlier on]. Then we were more aggressive.
“It’s not easy against [Kylian] Mbappe, Neymar, [Angel] Di Maria. Afterwards we found goals and could have scored another. I’m so satisfied with the performance but we’re only halfway. There are 90 more minutes, anything can happen.
“We didn’t have the good possession in right positions. That sometimes is normal. This club don’t have much experience in the semi-finals of this tournament. This will help us. In the second half we were aggressive and played really good.
“Against Dortmund, we conceded and came back. Today it was the same. Be ourselves in the second half. We are good playing in a certain way – we can’t do a different way.”
The result puts City in a good position heading back to the Etihad. If they can produce their second-half performance in the return leg, then they will surely reach their first Champions League final.
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