Pep Guardiola said Manchester City were affected by fear in the first half of their Champions League win at Hoffenheim, but praised his side's increased intensity after the interval. City came from behind to win 2-1 in Group F, with David Silva scoring the decisive goal in the 87th minute.
Hoffenheim took the lead inside the first minute through Ishak Belfodil, but Sergio Agüero equalised soon after. City then struggled to break down a well-organised defence until Silva's late finish secured a valuable away victory.
Speaking after the match, Guardiola stressed the importance of the result following the home defeat to Lyon in City's opening group game. "After the last game it was so important that we didn't lose. A win in Germany is always so complicated and we will learn so it's a good three points because we fought against a lot of things," he said.
Guardiola acknowledged that his team were tentative before the break. "We played with a little bit of fear. We were more intense in the second half. They are so well organised defensively – it was not easy but at the end we found the right moment to win the game."
The City manager was unhappy that Leroy Sané was not awarded a penalty when Oliver Baumann appeared to pull him down in the second half, but refused to discuss the incident. "I don't want to talk because if I do I will be in the tribune. I want to be on the bench with my players in the next game – on the bench."
Guardiola reiterated his belief that difficult matches can benefit the team in the long term. "We have to live it like a club, for the players and myself it will be good," he said. "This competition – if we are able to go through we'll have learned about what we have to do to beat opponents, I'm pretty sure. It will be good for our future as a club, our performance today."
