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Manchester City's efforts to defeat Lyon could help them reach the knockout stages of the Champions League, according to Pep Guardiola.
The Premier League champions have come twice from behind with goals from Aymeric Laporte and Sergio Aguero to save a 2-2 draw in France in order to secure a place in the Last 16 games in February.
City lost to Ligue 1 in their first Group F match and City boss believes matches could give them an idea of how difficult it is to succeed in Europe.
"Maybe we need to live [difficult] time of the competition, "he said at a press conference. In the last two seasons I have been here, we have qualified quite comfortably. You may have to suffer in the group stage to achieve and take a step forward. "
Lyon caused a lot of problems for City, twice taking the lead ahead of Maxwell Cornet, who, with Memphis Depay, missed two glorious chances in the first period.
They are the only team to have scored two goals against City this season, having made it in the first game of Group F after their 2-1 win at Etihad Stadium.
"We are in the last 16," Guardiola said. "It's so important right now to be in the last 16. When you play Lyon, it's complicated because of their quality."
"The level was quite similar across the group, which is why starting with a 2-1 home defeat against Lyon, we have made an excellent recovery over the last four games.
"You still think:" How are we going to react in this situation? "
"We showed a huge personality, we did it, we were strong in this situation."
Defender Kyle Walker said City had shown his fighting skills, which are essential to progress in the competition.
"They gave us a good game at Etihad, so we knew it would be a tough match, they have good players in good sectors and fast players, but we had a good draw," he said. he declared.
"It shows the character and conviction that prevails in the locker room.The important players arrive at the right time.
"Lyon are technically good, fast and strong, so they hurt Etihad and that's why we had a point to prove.
"There are still things we need to work on – it's completely different from the Premier League – but we have yet to move on, but we're done and hope we can get a good draw. [in the last 16]. "
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