Pep Guardiola has praised the reaction of David Silva, Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero to only making the bench for Manchester City's 2-1 win at Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The City boss played Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva as false nines at the Bernabeu, which meant no place in the side for some of his established stars.
While Sterling had only just returned from a hamstring injury, Silva and Aguero would have expected to start a Champions League knockout tie at Real Madrid.
But Guardiola insists their reaction to the team news was impeccable and made him proud to be City manager.
"The three guys behaviour in the locker room was exceptional, I'm so proud of their reaction, I know they wanted to play," he said.
"Sergio is incredible, I never could express my gratitude for his help, a legend for this club, I know he's ready to help us. David and John [Stones], Alekz [Zinchenko], Eric [Garcia], my gratitude I'd love all of them to play."
Guardiola has been praised for his bold selection calls in Madrid, with Gabriel Jesus used in a left-wing role that required plenty of defensive commitment.
But the Catalan is aware the margins between victory and defeat can be small and it's only thanks to the Blues' late turnaround in the Spanish capital that he is receiving the plaudits.
"Yeah but if we don't win then people say why not Sergio and David, we take the decision, I saw the games and figured it out for the first leg," said Guardiola.
"I take decisions and I'm exposed. Zinedine Zidane knows it and I know it, the game was so tight. That's this kind of game โ it happens against Tottenham [in last season's Champions League], both legs good and bad moments, Liverpool and Monaco, it happens.
"The manager who takes good decisions and bad decisions. I have the opportunity to express my opinion and the winner gets good things said."
ishti
521
Almost all ManCity stars are very humble and down to earth.
cahabirtyz
489
lampard would never say this. He would go all the way to criticised them publicly. when you work with players in the right manners, you get good results because everyone is united.
babbelmoz
453
When I first saw the lineup I was shocked. I was wondering why Sterling and David Silva were on the bench. But midway through the game, I was able to see the brilliance of the tactical formation. Pep is a genius .
ShubhankurSharma
112
Whether the ban is lifted or not, it doesn't matter. I personally think that pep and the players should never leave man City because there is an extraordinary understanding bw the managers and players. Same goes with klopp and Liverpool players. Their understanding is also great. These 2 are the only clubs in the world where players can least feel about leaving. Respect to klopp and pep๐๐ป๐๐ป๐ค๐ป๐ค๐ป.