Pep Guardiola praised Ilkay Gundogan’s mentality after he bounced back from one of ‘his worst games in nine years’ with a goal in Manchester City’s Champions League win against Slovan Bratislava.
Gundogan opened the floodgates with an eight-minute strike before goals from Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and James McAtee wrapped up a convincing 4-0 away win.
The goal, Gundogan’s first since returning to City from Barcelona this summer, typified a much-improved display from the German who looked out of sorts in his side’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United last weekend.
Following the season-ending injury to Rodri, the 33-year-old is expected to help fill the Spaniard’s boots at the base of midfield, and Guardiola was pleased to see the German operating back at his usual levels.
‘We know he can do it because he has a strong mentality,’ the City boss told TNT Sports at full-time.
‘The game in Newcastle was not really good, maybe one of the worst I’ve ever seen with him in the last eight or nine years but this happens. This is why he has to play.
‘For his position, holding midfielder, he is so intelligent. He played a fantastic game today.’
Asked about his side’s performance more generally, Guardiola replied: ‘We had to do a job. We did it. This group of players is fantastic, we played a good game, a lot of chances so the first three points of the competition.
‘We said we needed one more goal, 3-0 was almost over because they defended with more courage to play but after 2-0 and the chances we had, we were patient and we attacked really well.
‘Sometimes we have to attack more quickly but it was a good result.’
It was a special night, too, for academy graduate McAtee who came off the bench to score his first senior goal for the club after two seasons on loan at Sheffield United.
‘Everyone adores him,’ Guardiola said of the 21-year-old. ‘You saw the reaction of the players, so everyone loves him.
‘With teams who play so deep, he has the quality to find it. He scored and had a few more chances.
‘Of course, he will not be a regular player but in a lot of games he will help us and when he plays like he did today I can always count on him.’
City return to Premier League action on Saturday when they host Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.
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