In the Champions League victory at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night, opponents Young Boys failed to have a single shot on or off target.
The City boss takes his side to Stamford Bridge on Sunday for a 16:30 (UK) clash with Chelsea, who have not scored in their last six matches against Guardiola’s side.
And ahead of the clash, he praised his backline and says they enjoy stopping their opponents.
“It’s one of the key aspects, we defend as high and as far away from the goal,” Guardiola said.
“Normally if you say you don’t have enough credit or respect, but they have it from us. We can’t control the media or people, they are more attracted to strikers and attacking midfielders.
“I have a feeling we now have a defence that enjoys defending. Defending has always been an incredibly huge talent. Always we relate talent to skills and dribbles and those kinds of things.
CHELSEA V CITY | MATCH PREVIEW
“When you see Ruben [Dias], John [Stones], Kyle [Walker], Nathan [Ake], Manuel [Akanji], Josko [Gvardiol], all defenders, they enjoy defending, they enjoy winning duels and they enjoy blocking shots. We have many.
“They know how important it is because we tell them, it’s decisive.”
As well as scoring the most goals in the Premier League so far this season, City have also conceded the fewest – just eight from our opening 11 matches.
And the boss says it is a testament to his squad maintaining their desire to keep doing the “uncomfortable” hard work which is so important to success.
“I said to the guys we beat Young Boys and we did not concede a shot,” Guardiola added.
“Normally when you are a Treble winners and you believe how good you are, you can stop or not do the uncomfortable things that you have to do because we are good.
“After you concede chances, you concede goals. When you don’t concede, that is the best proof of what we have to do.”
Watch the second part of Pep’s press conference via the video above…
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