Pep Guardiola says to expect more entertainment when Manchester City travel to Monaco for their Champions League second leg.

City won an extraordinary round-of-16 first leg at the Etihad 5-3 on Tuesday after fighting back from being 3-2 down with just 20 minutes remaining.

Guardiola will take a two-goal advantage to Monaco for the second leg on March 15, but says his side will need to score away goals if they are to progress to the quarterfinals.

"We are going to fly to Monaco to score as many goals as possible," Guardiola told a news conference. "I would like to see how many teams are able to get a clean sheet against Monaco this season. They have fantastic players.

"We understood immediately they are going to attack with runs in behind. It's so, so difficult but we created a lot of chances and I don't know if Monaco have seen a team create as many chances as we did against them tonight.

"They always arrived with six or seven players and I haven't seen a team attack with so many good players for a long time.

"Now we know each other better, we are going to adjust, they are going to adjust -- If we don't score in Monaco, we will be eliminated."

Guardiola also praised the character of his players, who were facing elimination when they trailed late into the second half.

Raheem Sterling had put City into an early lead before Sergio Aguero, who has come under scrutiny in recent weeks, scored twice and set up another for Leroy Sane with John Stones getting the fifth goal.

"Today, the lesson is, we never gave up. In some moments we were lucky but we were unlucky in the first half," Guardiola added.

"I am so happy for the result and the performance. We are still alive. These kind of things help this club achieve another step forward.

"Monaco have more history in the competition. You have to live these kind of situation to get better and become a better team.

"It's a huge compliment for the players to be there -- to never give up. That's why we are still alive."

Guardiola refused to be drawn on a controversial decision in the first half when Aguero was booked for diving when he appeared to be caught by Monaco keeper Danijel Subasic in the penalty area.

However, he praised Willy Caballero, who was chosen ahead of Claudio Bravo and saved a Falcao penalty with the score at 2-1 to Monaco.

"In that moment it would have been 1-3 and mentally would have been so tough," Guardiola said. "But Willy made an excellent penalty save.

"It was a marvellous game -- everybody enjoyed it in the stadium and at home."

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by Jonathan Smith

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