Pep Guardiola was thrilled to see his players not getting too carried away with an outstanding Champions League victory for the club.
With most of the Manchester City players starting their first semi-final in the competition, they were put under a barrage of pressure from 2020 finalists Paris Saint-Germain and were fortunate to go in at the break only losing by one goal.
At the break, the manager spoke to his team about being more aggressive with and without the ball and playing the football that has seen them reach this stage as well as winning the Carabao Cup and closing in on the Premier League title. The turnaround was dramatic, with City seizing control of the game and then the tie through goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez.
On a particularly pleasing night, Guardiola was elated to go into the dressing room at the final whistle and hear a distinct lack of celebrations from the players as they gear up for the return leg in six days time after a trip to Crystal Palace that could help seal their third league title in fourth years; a City win at Selhurst Park and a United defeat at home to Liverpool the following day will confirm it.
While the Blues boss is expecting a different game in the second leg, he was delighted with the reaction of his squad up to and after the final whistle.
"I think we started really well in the first five to ten minutes but we had a problem to keep the ball - in part for the quality of Mauricio Pochettino's team, for the quality of the players they have," he said.
"If you are not aggressive against [Marco] Verratti, [Leandro] Paredes, Neymar and their big stars you cannot do it, it is so difficult. When we realised to be more aggressive, especially in the second half, making more intensity, we can find it.
"I'm sure the second leg will be different because Mauricio will learn and see the game. We will also see the game and change something to be more fluid and aggressive in our game and do it. Now rest.
"I was happy that in the locker room afterwards the players were so calm. No cheering, just calm, because we know anything can happen in the second leg. Now we go to Crystal Palace with an incredible opportunity for the Premier League and three days later try to play a good game against PSG again and reach the final."
