Following victories over Chelsea, Ipswich, West Ham and Brentford, the Blues battled hard for a 0-0 draw with the Italian Serie A champions in the first game of this season’s new league-formatted elite European competition.
The boss will now lead his team into a titanic top-flight tussle with Arsenal on Sunday at the Etihad and he’s relishing the contest even if it does come in the midst of an intense week of action for his champions.
“Maybe but it is what it is,” said the manager when asked if the Gunners encounter is coming too soon this season.
“We don’t control the schedule. We have to play the Champions League draw and now Arsenal are there.
“Players behave really well so far this season.
“In Premier League and today we play to win. We made a good performance.
“I would love to win and create more chances but I give credit to opponents.
“The opponents are an exceptional team.
“We run and we fight to be close to the win.”
On the challenge of the Gunners in Sunday’s 16:30 clash on home soil, the manager added: “It’s another unbelievable team. They don’t concede chances and goals.
“They are there, biggest challengers and title contenders and they will be there for many years.
“They have young squad and a young team. We will see but we are in September.
“We are better in many things than in other years. We will see what happens Sunday and in the next games.”
Watch the manager’s post-match press conference above.
