Manchester City's Pep Guardiola praises Ilkay Gundogan for recovering from 'worst' performance in years at Newcastle

Manchester City earned their first win of this season's UEFA Champions League with a dominant 4-0 victory against Slovan Bratislava. Ilkay Gundogan scored the opening goal and his manager, Pep Guardiola, praised his midfielder after the game for the way he recovered from his "worst performance for nine years" against Newcastle last time out. Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and James McAtee also scored.

Pep Guardiola praised the Ilkay Gundogan's mentality as he scored his first goal of the season in Manchester City's 4-0 win against Slovan Bratislava in the UEFA Champions League.

Gundogan's deflected effort opened the scoring in Slovakia before Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and James McAtee also found the net on a dominant night for Guardiola’s side.

It was a return to winning ways for City, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle in the Premier League in their last game.

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On a frustrating afternoon at St James’ Park, Gundogan – who arrived back at City in the summer after a year at Barcelona – was substituted just after the hour mark.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Guardiola said he was delighted with how the German midfielder responded to his below-par performance on Tyneside.

“We know he can do it, it’s a strong mentality," he said. "The game in Newcastle was not really, really good. Maybe one of the worst I’ve seen with him in the last eight or nine years.

“His position, holding midfielder, is so intelligent and he played a fantastic game today."

'One of the worst I've ever seen' - Guardiola praises Gundogan's response after Newcastle display

Video credit: TNT Sports

Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand watched City ease to victory against Bratislava and said, with Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne out injured, Gundogan’s role will be vital in the coming months.

“When you’ve got the injuries to the key players that they have, I think bringing in someone like him, to be able to get him, the way they did, late in the [transfer] window, was a masterstroke really," Ferdinand said.

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“Not only is he a fantastic player with experience, he’s been there and gone down this path already of winning trophies with Man City, he can play multiple positions.

“[For] a young player coming in, who better to look up to and look to, for experience, than somebody like Gundogan. It’s the perfect case scenario for them to have someone like him to come through that door."

'The perfect scenario' - Ferdinand on 'masterstroke' Gundogan return

Video credit: TNT Sports

Landmark night for 'adorable' McAtee

It was a special night for James McAtee, who came on as a second-half substitute to score his first senior goal for City.

The 21-year-old – who spent the last two seasons on loan at Sheffield United – latched on to a pass from Phil Foden before slamming the ball past Dominik Takac.

Speaking about McAtee after the match, Guardiola said: “All of us, we are so happy for him. He’s adorable and all the guys love him.

“McAtee moved really well in small spaces. Make a fantastic goal, have another chance and, for him, it will be a good boost.

“We want to make him feel that ‘you are part of that group’ and ‘you are able to play without a doubt’,” he said.

McAtee told TNT Sports: “I’m over the moon.

“I think this is what every kid dreams of so it’s definitely a dream come true.”

'I don't think it was easy' - Foden downplays comfort of 4-0 win

Video credit: TNT Sports

As for Foden, it was only his second start of the season but after scoring once and laying on the assist for McAtee, Guardiola hopes the England international’s top form is not too far away.

“Still is not his best,” Guardiola said.

“[He] made a fantastic goal, not shooting strong, just passing the ball to the post. He had more chances but step by step he’s coming back.”

City had 28 shots overall, hitting the target with 14 of them but only finding the net on four occasions.

With the new format of the Champions League likely to see goal difference be a huge factor towards the end of the league stage, Guardiola was asked if his team should have been more clinical.

“I’m not thinking of that," he said. "Maybe conservative, thinking win your games will be enough, you know. But the group is difficult, we have three tough, tough games away with Sporting Lisbon, Juventus and PSG, so we have to get a lot of points.

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