“I don’t have that feeling” — Pep Guardiola reveals Man City mentality perception ahead of Tottenham showdown

Pep Guardiola has delivered his verdict on Manchester City’s mentality after coming from behind to beat RB Leipzig earlier in the week.

The Treble winners found themselves 2-0 down to the Bundesliga outfit at halftime, but a gutsy second half comeback saw the Blues snatch a 3-2 victory and secure top spot in Champions League Group G.

However, at the mood was sour at the break, particularly as Manchester City had gone into the game winless in their last two Premier League matches, dropping points from winning positions against both Chelsea and Liverpool respectively.

But ahead of City’s much-anticipated Premier League showdown with Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, Guardiola revealed his delight with the patience and resilience his side showed last against RB Leipzig.

“After, at the half-time, I said, ‘We are going to finish second in the group stage if you don’t make a comeback’, and we knew it,” Guardiola said.

“It was just about being patient, we scored one goal, and after everything is going to change. It happened many, many times with the players, I felt it.

“We didn’t give up, that is top. But I didn’t have the feeling that… first-half we played a little bit like, ‘Ok we are already top of the group’, but I don’t have that feeling. Maybe I’m wrong, but I didn’t have it.”

Manchester City have made a habit of coming from behind to collect victories in recent seasons, famously erasing a two-goal deficit to beat Aston Villa and secure the Premier League title in the final match of the 2021/22 campaign.

But sitting four points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal after the opening three months of the season will leave the champions’ on edge.

A win against top-six rivals Tottenham on Sunday could go some way towards Pep Guardiola’s side regaining their momentum as they head into the busy winter period.

Just three days after City clash with Spurs, the Etihad outfit will travel to Birmingham to face off with Aston Villa, who currently sit just one point behind the Blues in the Premier League standings.