The Algerian star was on fire in the semi-final second leg against PSG, netting twice to secure Guardiola’s men a berth in the grand finale.
Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez spoke after his team’s 2-0 triumph over PSG in the second leg of UEFA champions league semi-final and discussed how their pre-laid plan paid off by securing a berth in the final.
“Algerian Pride” as they call him in his homeland scored three out of the four goals the Citizens bagged int their 4-1 aggregate victiry, firing Pep Guardiola’s men into the champions league final for the first time in the club’s history.
“It was a good game, we didn’t do very well in the first half but we scored a goal that made us comfortable, then we played well in the second half.” Mahrez told “PT Sport”.
“We could have scored more. PSG players lost their concentration and started kicking us and after Di María’s red card the game became easier. We didn’t target playing counter-attacks but they needed to attack us and we are good at counter-attacks and this is how we scored the two goals” he added.
Mahrez: It was all planned
Mahrez also spoke about the tactics that led to the the first goal, saying it was something City had rehearsed several times.
“Of course the long ball from Ederson was planned. We know his ability to put the ball near the other team’s goal. We work on that all the time and today the plan worked out” he said.
The 30-year-old also noted that City’s defensive solidity and not conceding many goals was a crucial factor to them reaching the final.
Mahrez concluded by saying City will now focus on sealing The Premier League title on Saturday against Chelsea before they start to think about the Champions League final.
Mahrez has now scored more Champions League goals than any other Algerian player after netting his 10th goal in the competition The winger has been directly involved in six Man City goals in his last 5 games, scoring four and providing two assists.