Pep Guardiola suggested that Manchester City will employ a similar approach against RB Leipzig as they attempt to make the Champions League quarter-finals.
Guardiola stared down criticism of the 1-1 draw in the first leg, going onto the pitch at full-time to tell the players to hold their heads up high before heading into his media duties railing against his perceived expectations that the Blues must trounce anyone they play. "It doesn't matter what people say, they played the game they should play," he said.
The City manager said that his side cannot compete with RB Leipzig's transitions, given the respective pace and age of each player. And while there must be a winner in the second leg, Guardiola is reluctant to favour aggression over control unless he is forced to by the game situation.
Also read: Every word from Guardiola and De Bruyne ahead of Leipzig
"In the first half over there we were better, second half they were better," he said. "We saw the game and we try to figure out what we have to do and adjust a few things that can help us to have more control and play a bit better.
"Always I believe in transition games, it is a coin – it can go in your favour, or... but it is a knockout game and maybe we need to break more of the game. In the end, the game will dictate more of what we have to do."
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