In our last Premier League assignment before competing in the tournament for the first time, we were unable to hold a two-goal lead as the Eagles struck twice in the final 15 minutes to earn a point at the Etihad Stadium.
Goals from Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis had put the Blues on course for successive league wins, but Jean-Philippe Mateta’s strike and Michael Olise’s stoppage time penalty wiped out our advantage.
In an action-packed winter schedule for the Blues, we next face Urawa Red Diamonds in the last-four in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday 19 December at 18:00 (UK).
And the boss believes we need to pick ourselves up quickly as we look to triumph in Jeddah.
“It would be better, a six or seven hour flight with the result and just three days to recover and then three days for a potential final,” he explained.
“Otherwise, the semi-final, of course. But it is what it is. Now we are down and we will lift immediately and as quickly as possible and go to compete there.”
Watch Guardiola‘s full press conference in the video player above...
