Fights happen when player's don't do what they are told at half-time, indicates Pep Guardiola

Fights happen when player's don't do what they are told at half-time, indicates Pep Guardiola

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Guardiola comments on the match against Leipzig

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola saw his side overcome RB Leipzig in the first game of their Champions League campaign, but he was not entirely pleased with their efforts. Guardiola was caught screaming at Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez during City's 6-3 win over Leipzig on Wednesday. 

Manchester City manager was caught shouting angrily at Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish, for not being actively involved in the side's defensive efforts during their match against the German side on Wednesday. The match held at the home of the English champions delivered nine goals, a red card for former City player Angelino and three points to start their Champions League campaign. The English club will aim to do one better after they reached the finals of the European competition last season only to narrowly lose to Chelsea.

Nathan Ake opened the scoring for the hosts as he thumped a header into the Leipzig goal from a corner kick in the 16th minute. Nordi Mukiele headed in an own goal in the 28th minute to double the lead of the Citizens. Christopher Nkunku scored a header to bring the German side back into the game in the 42nd minute but Mahrez comfortably slotted in a penalty in first-half stoppage time to give the Citizens a two-goal cushion as they went to half-time. 

Nkunku scored the second goal of his game with a free header inside the box in the 51st minute to offer a lifeline to the Bundesliga side but soon after Grealish who was making his Champions League debut scored a sensational goal in the 56th minute to restore City's two-goal cushion. Nkunku then added to his tally to complete his hattrick as he slotted the ball in with a right-footed finish in the 73rd minute. 

Joao Cancelo then scored the goal of the game as he unleashed a shot from outside the box in the 75th minute. Former City player Angelino then picked up his second yellow card of the game for a clumsy challenge on Cancelo. Gabriel Jesus rounded up the scoring for the English side as he scored the sixth goal of the game in the 85th minute.

Guardiola was impressed by Leipzig's performances and explained the quarrel he had with Mahrez and Grealish.

"We spoke in half-time about the way we have to do it and they didn't do it. Fights happen. They are so good, they make four players in the build-up to attract you behind the holding midfielders where there aren't a lot of players, where the ball goes outside and they are so fast when they attack in behind,” reveals Guardiola to BT Sport.

"It's not easy to control it but when you regain that ball there are many players in front of the ball and in the transition to make one or two passes in behind you have a chance to attack," he added.

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