Manchester City lost 3-1 to the Ligue 1 leaders on Wednesday night as his side crashed out in the round of 16. Monaco dominated the first half with their high-pressing causing huge problems to City’s defence and stopping them passing through midfield and creating chances.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool play in a similar style. But Guardiola said he won’t alter his tactics, particularly after City improved massively in the second half.
“Of course we have to defend better but I think in 12-15 minutes against Monaco we created five chances and few teams can do that,” he told a news conference.
“For example in the second half how many chances did Monaco create? Zero, the goal, some set pieces.
“In the first half the chances they had they scored from. The problem in the first half is we didn’t create against Monaco and that’s what I’m most worried about. Not because of the chances they had.”
Captain Vincent Kompany was fit and available for the match in Monaco but Guardiola felt he couldn’t risk him after the persistent injuries that have dogged the defender for the past two seasons.
“There is a reason why he didn’t play because he was injured,” he added. “And putting him on the field for maybe 15 or 20 minutes, because I know when it was 2-1, I thought about that we might need him against the tall players of Monaco on the field to defend those kind of situations.
“But he was a long time injured and sometimes he arrived [played] but was injured again so I could risk him and be safe and be so sure [he would last].”
Kompany’s future at the Etihad would appear to be in doubt after he started just two Premier League matches this season.
Guardiola said he had hoped Kompany would be a major part of his plans when he took over the squad in the summer.
“There was always a desire [for that] from the beginning of the season but the same thing happened this season as last season — he wasn’t fit,” Guardiola said.
“And of course there are a lot of processes and work [in developing the team in training] and he was not involved and sometimes you need to see. And he understands that.
“The first thing, as I’ve said many times, is to be fit enough to make the training sessions and for the last two weeks he has been there.”
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