Manchester City responded to that Premier League defeat at Norwich by hammering Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
Shakhtar Donetsk coach Luis Castro was gracious in defeat after a Champions League humbling at the hands of Manchester City, speaking to the club’s official website.
Back in December 2017, a Shakhtar side inspired by the rampaging left-back Ismaily stunned the Premier League giants with a famous 2-1 victory on Ukrainian soil. But there was to be no repeat of such a shock on Wednesday night.
Riyad Mahrez, Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus were all on target as City cruised to a 3-0 win at the Metalist Stadium and Shakhtar, who were shaky and error-prone throughout at the back while giving Guardiola’s star-studded team far too much room to wreak havoc, were their own worst enemies.
After the full-time whistle, Castro was seen engaging in a warm conversation with his opposite number. And he has now shed a light on what was discussed between the two coaches.
“It was a regular post-match chat between the coaches,” said the former Porto coach.
“I said that playing them is really difficult and congratulated him on the victory. He replied that it’s really tough against them because they are among the best sides.”
Guardiola himself was similarly gushing after the first Champions League matchday, singling out the fleet-footed Brazilian duo Taison and Marlos and describing them as ‘incredible’ players with City celebrating a much needed clean sheet against dangerous opposition.
There are worse ways to respond to a 3-2 defeat at Carrow Road.
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