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Pep Guardiola’s praises Manchester City’s ‘maturity’ after Champions League win against Shakhtar Donetsk

September 26, 2017 by Tony Bugby

MAN CITY 2, SHAKHTAR DONETSK 0

Pep Guardiola praised his side’s “maturity” as Manchester City maintained their 100-per-cent Champions League record, though they were given a tough examination by Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk.

City’s second game in group F was far from a formality at the Etihad where Shakhtar produced an impressive display in the goalless opening period.

In the second half, City resumed normal service as goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling earned a seventh straight victory in all competitions. It was also the first time they had ever won their first two group games in the competition.

City had chances to win by a wider margin, notably when Sergio Aguero missed a penalty that would have equalled Eric Brook’s club record of 177 goals.

A delighted Guardiola said his side had beaten an “amazing” team.

He said: “We gave an extraordinary performance in the second half and created a lot of chances and missed a penalty, but showed a lot of maturity, were stable and didn’t concede many chances.

“Even in the first half, when we pressed them, we couldn’t stop their amazing build ups through Fred, Taison and Marlos.

“They have seven or eight Brazilians, and they are all good players. A lot of credit for our victory as the Shakhtar demand a lot to beat them.

“It was a big victory and big congratulations to my team. They deserve my respect today.

“Shakhtar have been in the Champions League for the last 18 years and are a tough, tough team and I am proud to have beaten one of the best teams in the way they played and today is one of my happiest days.”

City made two changes from the side that kicked off Saturday’s 5-0 win against Crystal Palace.

Gabriel Jesus and Fabian Delph replaced Raheem Sterling and the injured Benjamin Mendy.

It was clear from the start it would be no pushover for City as Shakhtar were comfortable and confident on the ball.

And they might have snatched a 12th minute lead when Fred burst clear, but former Shakhtar player Fernandinho saved the day with a goal-saving tackle.

City, who had steam rollered Premier League opponents, were toiling against the Ukrainian champions.

It took their until the half-hour mark before they carved out their first clear-cut chance.

Jesus robbed Taras Stepanenko and put De Bruyne clear, but he inexplicably fired wide with only keeper Andriy Pyatov to beat.

Shakhtar had another great chance to take the lead when Brazilian Marlos cut in from the right and forced a fine flying save from City keeper Ederson.

Leroy Sane then forced a diving save from Pyatov and fired narrowly wide in quick succession as the game began to open up for both sides.

Shakhtar went close again when Ivan Ordets headed wide from a free kick as he beat Ederson as the keeper came off his line and failed to reach the ball.

City, who endured a frustrating opening half, were quick out of the blocks at the restart and took a 48th minute lead.

De Bruyne intercepted a pass in midfield, burst forward and played a return pass with David Silva before bending in a shot from 25 yards into the top corner.

City made their first change in the 54th minute when Sterling replaced Jesus who had a quiet night.

It was almost 2-0 moments later when Silva lofted the ball over the Shakhtar defence but Aguero’s volley from point-blank range was superbly saved by Pyatov.

And City squandered another gilt-edge chance to double their lead when De Bruyne set up Sterling who blazed wide from seven yards with only the keeper to beat.

City were unable to give themselves a useful cushion as Aguero then missed a penalty.

Sane was shoved off the ball by Ivan Ordets and Aguero stepped forward knowing if he scored he would equal Brook’s club record.

Whether it was nerves, but Pyatov made a decent save low to his right as it remained 1-0. It was Aguero’s ninth career penalty miss from 40 spot kicks.

Aguero soon bent a shot just wide as he looked to make amends for his spot kick miss.

City made their second change with nine minutes left when Silva made way for Ilkay Gundogan and a third soon followed when Aguero was replaced by Bernardo Silva

Sane wasted two further chances before City finally second their second goal in the 90th minutes when Bernardo Silva cut the ball back for Sterling to fire home from 12 yards in off the crossbar.

It was his sixth goal of the season and all scored in his last five games as he maintained his fabulous start to the season.

Filed Under: Manchester City, Match Report, UEFA Champions League Tagged With: Kevin De Bruyne, Pep Guardiola, Raheem Sterling, Shakhtar Donetsk

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