Pep Guardiola unhappy with Manchester City’s attack despite winning European opener

LONDON – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola rued poor finishing from his attackers, but was thankful that Julian Alvarez’s double saved the team’s blushes in their 3-1 Champions League win on Tuesday, after minnows Red Star Belgrade took a shock lead at the Etihad.

The Serbian side’s goal had been bombarded before they stunned reigning champions City through Osman Bukari’s opener in first-half stoppage time in their Group G clash.

However, Alvarez continued his sparkling early season form by levelling just two minutes after the break.

The Argentinian forward then got some help from Red Star goalkeeper Omri Glazer, as he flapped at Alvarez’s free kick to allow the ball to fly into the far corner.

Rodri rounded off the scoring with a composed finish 17 minutes from time.

“If we scored two goals early in the beginning, it would’ve been completely different,” said Guardiola, who was frustrated at his side’s finishing, after having 22 shots in the first half alone.

“Having 22 shots on goal means you are playing really good, and it has to be the responsibility of the people in front to score the goals.”

But the City boss did reserve praise for the 23-year-old Alvarez, who is thriving in his second season in English football with four goals in eight games.

“Every single game he is working, scoring goals, making assists,” added Guardiola, whose side ended the game with 37 shots.

City are level on three points with RB Leipzig, who beat Young Boys by the same scoreline.

Red Star were expected to be lambs to the slaughter after City followed up their treble success last season with a perfect five-game start in the new Premier League campaign.

But the English champions made life difficult for themselves, while Glazer performed heroics for the Balkan giants before the break.

Erling Haaland has now failed to score in four consecutive Champions League games and was frustrated at himself after heading against the crossbar from point-blank range.

City’s stretched squad, owing to injuries, was made apparent as they named only eight of a permitted 12 substitutes, two of whom were goalkeepers.

And Bernardo Silva had to be replaced just before half-time by Jeremy Doku in what could be another injury problem for Guardiola – City are already without key players Kevin de Bruyne, John Stones, Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic.

“He (Silva) didn’t say anything at the end,” Guardiola said. “I didn’t speak with the doctors, but apparently, for the next games, he won’t be able to play.

“We are in trouble... When we have five important players – really, really important players – injured, to sustain that for a long time will be difficult. But it is what it is.”

Red Star coach Barak Bakhar, meanwhile, said his team have learnt a lot from playing against Premier League opposition, especially the champions of England themselves.

“We conceded an early goal (in the second half) and after that it was difficult to maintain the pace, because we never play at this pace in our league,” he said.

“We learnt a lot from this match.” AFP, REUTERS