The City playmaker struggled with an ankle injury after returning from the World Cup but found his best form hard to come by when he did play.
Guardiola says it is natural to have a dip in form after five seasons of continued progression – but understanding that has been part of the reason he has returned to his dazzling best.
“Phil has a special ability to have the ball [and think] where is the goal to go there and attack with or without the ball,” said Pep.
“When I spoke with Phil, after he was having the ball and passing back, he didn’t have the confidence to do it.
“I said to him that is normal. What happened is absolutely what should happen in my opinion.
“He arrived at 17 training with us, 10 minutes, 15, 20, here, here, national team, World Cup and European Championships, winning titles, and every year he was a little better than the year before.
“Arriving at the moment when you go down, the important thing is to accept it.
“Part of it was a struggle with his ankle, but accept it, don’t blame anyone, the opponents, the manager or the club or team-mates or whatever.
“Accept that you can do better. Come back to your principles. And step by step he will be back.
“Now he’s back, scoring goals like Riyad. Riyad for the last two months has been one of the most important players.
“He won the game against Spurs. Every action of his created actions for his team-mates,
“Erling Kevin and Gundo and everyone. What happened with Phil is completely normal.
“Just accept it. The bad moments, these too shall pass. Always like this in the 90 minutes.
“Always will come the good moments and we will come back to the game and be ready to do it.”
Watch Pep’s full post-match press conference on the video above...
