In introducing Julián Álvarez and Jérémy Doku a little into the second half, Guardiola engineered a masterstroke. Each transformed City's fortunes, the former finding the winner from a move that was decorated by Doku's mastery of the ball before Phil Foden set Álvarez up for the winner.
The last time City were two behind at the interval on home turf was in January, versus Tottenham. Then, Guardiola's side scored four unanswered goals after the break and the manager, afterwards, branded his players and everyone at the club "happy flowers".
The response he received was a treble-triumphant season. Tonight the more modest spoils of sealing Group G was City's aim and this win ensures that. Yet despite now going 29 games unbeaten in Europe here, the manager will not be happy with an oddly dislocated display.
Guardiola detests sloppiness so seeing Manuel Akanji allow Janis Blaswich's long punt out of the goalkeeper's hands bounce past the centre-back and Loïs Openda running in to roll past Stefan Ortega for the opener will have displeased. The Swiss defender hung his head and Guardiola, in a long winter overcoat, turned away. Marco Rose punched the air.
Denne historien er fra November 29, 2023-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra November 29, 2023-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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