Sunday 24 February 2019 20:39, UK
Pep Guardiola admitted he was impressed with Chelsea's resolve after they took Manchester City all the way to penalties in their Carabao Cup victory.
It had been just two weeks since City romped to a 6-0 win over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League, but Maurizio Sarri's side put up a far sterner challenge at Wembley on Sunday, holding them to a goalless draw for 120 minutes before eventually losing out 4-3 in the shootout.
City win on pens to retain Carabao Cup
"It was a tight game and we knew it would be because it was a final," said Guardiola. "I was impressed with the way Chelsea defended, they were well organised and one of the toughest teams I've faced in my career.
"We knew they have pride and they would react [from the 6-0 defeat]. This game was more similar to the game at Stamford Bridge, which we lost. It was tough.
"I thought we played well for 70 minutes but then we suffered because we were tired. We had a few injuries as well which will demand a lot of us and now we could suffer [in other competitions], but the title will help our mood going forward. I'm tired but I'm happy."
Guardiola revealed that Aymeric Laporte, who was forced off at half-time, and Fernandinho, who left the pitch after 90 minutes, could be out for "weeks", but has backed the rest of his squad to get them through a difficult situation as they chase the quadruple.
"In most countries there is one cup but here there are two," he said. "Early in the competition it helps us give minutes to players who don't usually play, but in the latter stages it's tough. But it's normal and we demand a lot of these players.
"I'm impressed with how many games we've played with no injures. In other countries they have less games, and now we have to play Schalke [and other games] with important players not player.
"But I trust my squad and I think guys will step forward and help us in that sense. We will find a solution."
Guardiola had previously used 20-year-old goalkeeper Arijanet Muric in the Carabao Cup, but opted for his first-choice Ederson in the final.
The City boss revealed that he chose Ederson for his ball-playing skills, but was happy to have him on the pitch for the shootout.
"It was a tough decision because [Muric] has played excellently [in this competition] but normally Chelsea press high and I thought we would have to use the goalkeeper more than usual, and Ederson is phenomenal at this," said Guardiola.
"In the end it didn't happen too much but he used his experience during the penalties and it made us confident."
