Pep Guardiola refuses to comment on the handball incident in the Man City draw against Leipzig

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola refused to comment on a handball incident against his team at the end of the Champions League round of 16 first leg tie against Leipzig, and said he knew “what happens in these situations.”

City, who drew 1-1 with the Bundesliga, looked relaxed throughout the first half. The Premier League champions took the lead before half-time at the Red Bull Arena, with Riyad Mahrez putting them ahead with an emphatic finish.

Defender Josko Gvardiol equalized in the second half with a header, but the match ended in controversy after RB Leipzig defender Benjamin Henriques appeared off his hands in injury time after a header from Rodri.

Speaking after the match, Guardiola kept his cards close to his chest as he spoke about the incident.

The 52-year-old told BT Sport: “As you said to your mate about Gvardiol’s goal, and about the penalty in the last minute (s), I didn’t see it.

“I didn’t see it so I can’t speak but I know what happens in these situations.”

Guardiola did not make any substitutions throughout the match as he looked tired of City towards the end of the game.

But he was pleased with his team’s overall performance throughout the night, despite failing to secure victory.

“I am happy with the whole match, not just the first half,” he added.

“What do you expect? Do we play a friendly here? How many games have you seen from Leipzig? You expect us to come here and win 0-5? That’s not reality. This is a competition that many important teams come out of in the group stage. It’s tough.

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“We’re a good team and we’re doing a lot of good things. We keep doing that. People expect us to come here and win 0-4, I’m sorry we’re not able to do that.”

City’s next match will be against Bournemouth on Saturday in the Premier League.

(Photo: Getty Images)

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