Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola felt that qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League was vital at this stage of the season, after his side drew 1-1 with Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Raffael had put the hosts in front, but David Silva responded with a tap-in late in the first half.Barcelona's victory over Celtic in the other fixture of the group ensured that the Catalan side would top the group, but City qualify in the second spot over Gladbach.
Pep Guardiola: We qualified for the Champions League and now we can focus on the Premier League.� pic.twitter.com/uyvfwPZJdC
I'm so happy to be there [in the knock-out phase],� Guardiola said toManchester City's official website. The first part of the season is so important, to qualify for the next round. We did it “ and now we can focus on the Premier League."
I am so satisfied for all the games. I was a trainer here in Germany and know how difficult Gladbach are. But we did it, which is why it is big congratulations to the team.�
City were poor in the first half, lacking sharpness and allowing Gladbach to create more chances than their visitors. In truth, they would have deserved it had they been losing at half-time.
"Yes, of course it's better to go in at half time at 1-1. It was much better than losing and it was so, so important at this moment."
David Silva's equaliser is enough to take City through to the last 16 of the #UCL, in a game that ended 10 v 10 pic.twitter.com/7BEsjjFG4q
Sergio Aguero started limping towards the end of the game, but Guardiola insisted it was nothing to worry about.
"Yeah, maybe he had a kick - but he is okay."