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Manchester City was the favorite to win the first European prize before the 16th, but in the eyes of his manager, they are still far
Pep Guardiola warned that Manchester City could not hope to win the Champions League if it offered goals to his opponents as he had done in his spectacular 3-2 victory over Schalke.
City claimed an advantage in the first leg in their first-16 match in Germany, but that's only after the equalizer in the 85th minute of substitute Leroy Sane was followed by the winner of the 90th minute of Raheem Sterling.
Schalke had fallen behind Sergio Aguero's first game, but had scored a 2-1 penalty with two penalties against Nabil Bentaleb for a handball against Nicolas Otamendi and a foul by Fernandinho.
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After the break, Otamendi was given a second warning after an untimely move by Guido Burgstaller. Guardiola admitted that City could consider himself lucky to take the lead in the first leg.
"The result is incredibly good, three goals, that's good," he said at a press conference after the match.
"We gave [Schalke] the first goal, we gave the second goal and we gave the red card. At this level, we are still not ready to fight for the Champions League, but the result is good.
You went through us tonight, boys.
But we love you for that! #mancity pic.twitter.com/4n52xezWv4
– Manchester City (@ManCity) February 20, 2019
"I know how difficult it is to play in Germany – they have not fired any goals. [apart from the penalties] but they scored two goals.
"[After] the red card, the last 15, 20 minutes, maybe they're pushing over and scoring the third and fourth and you're out.
"The result is good, [the tie] it is not finished. I hope that our fans will be able to help us during the second leg and that we can improve our future. "
Guardiola insisted on the final result and City's response to their tough moments of the match delighted him.
However, he reiterated that their weaknesses in concentration could prove their downfall in the final stages of the competition.
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Guardiola added: "The way we played, the way we started, the way we finished, the way we reacted 10 to 11, the way we reacted at half-time, 2- 1 [down]In the second half, we played incredibly well.
"I am more than happy, but it is not enough in this competition.
"When that happens at other stages, it's over."
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