Pep Guardiola has sent a unifying message to his Manchester City players as they try to bounce back from their Champions League exit.
The Blues boss has the task of lifting his angry, devastated stars before victorious Tottenham return to the Etihad Stadium for a crucial Premier League game on Saturday.
There was no locking of the dressing room door after the game – Guardiola will start to deal with the aftermath today, with just one day of training before the players need to go again.
But he made it plain that the team spirit and togetherness which have been a key feature of this squad will be important over the next two days
“We have to stand up and react,” said Guardiola, after the correct disallowing of a late Raheem Sterling goal for offside after a VAR review denied them a dramatic win.
Players were visibly upset by the European exit, especially as the referee failed to spot that Fernando Llorente had handled the ball as he scored the vital third Spurs goal.
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Guardiola emphasised now is the time when the bonds he and his players have strengthened over the last two three seasons, come into play: “It is a close time - and the same team.
“Now it’s time to think not too much now. We have to try to sleep as much as possible and the day before the game we are going to prepare the game.
“We fought for nine or 10 months in the Premier League. Still we are there. It is in our hands.
“Of course it is tough and we have to do it until the end.”
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