The Portuguese midfielder capped a superb all-round display by rifling home a 62nd minute goal at the King Power Stadium to secure all three points on our return to Premier League action.
The 27-year-old has started the season at the top of his game and was also on target for his national team in a midweek World Cup qualifier.
And in the wake of his performance in the East Midlands, the City manager was unequivocal in his praise and admiration for Bernardo.
“He played really well the last two games,” Guardiola declared.
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“I am pretty sure [he can have a big season]. It is not always the quality he plays with, he has an incredible work ethic.
“We are happy he is here and in the future we’ll see what happens.
“Today, the connection with Jack and Joao was brilliant. In general, it was all of them.
“We suffered sometimes because they defend deep and use the counter-attack.
“With Schmeichel they have the quality to put the ball in the right spots and after they make the movements with the full-backs and they move outside with Vardy in behind.
“Some moments were difficult, we knew it. Always we suffer against Leicester.
“It was the same in the Community Shield, we had a good game. Today was different, we were able to win.”
Bernardo was deployed largely on the left side of City’s midfield at the King Power Stadium with Jack Grealish operating on the same side of the front three.
It was a tactic that caused the Foxes all sorts of headaches in a compelling clash which saw a plethora of chances for City, while Leicester hit the bar and had a goal disallowed.
And the City boss revealed his thinking behind the positional set up.
“I like to have one or two players in the side who go to the natural side,” Pep added.
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“So, when Jack Grealish plays right and Gundo plays right, every movement in behind is not on the proper foot, they have to turn.
“The first action we had when Jack played with Bernardo, he dribbled and made a cross.
“Before, the winger the wingers always played, right footed, left side, left footed last side, but the last few years we have had the tendency to have a right foot on the left and a left foot on the right.
“At least one or two of the three need to be on the natural foot to be effective in the final third.
“They can play both sides of course. Bernardo prefers to play on the right, so it can happen.”
