Pep Guardiola has no sympathy for Sergio Aguero’s penalty blunders despite laser pen scare
Manchester City boss says his striker was focused enough to go on and hit Steaua Bucharest with a stunning hat-trick
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PEP GUARDIOLA was in no mood to excuse Sergio Aguero for two missed penalties as Manchester City racked up their highest ever Champions League away win.
Aguero smashed a hat-trick, his seventh for the club, in the 5-0 triumph at Steaua Bucharest, having had his first spot kick saved before blazing a second attempt over the bar.
It was reported that the Argentine striker suffered from a laser pen shone in his face before the first spot kick.
But Guardiola said: "Penalties are penalties. and he has focused to hit it. He was not let down, focused on the game and smashed three goals afterwards.
"We are almost in the Champions League. That was our target. It was a great performance, great attitudes. The result is amazing; I am so satisfied with the way we played - a big compliment to these fantastic players.
"All the managers in the world want to create chances and concede few. We are there. Now it’s rest and focus on Stoke City and the second game."
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Guardiola added: “Sergio can keep taking the penalties as far as I am concerned. If he is confident to go on, then I am confident.
“And I like that he had the strength to take the second one after missing the first.
“It is not always about how many times someone falls down. It is about how many times they can also pick themselves up.
“In the end, I will leave any decision on penalties to the players — because I do not take penalties, they do.”
Raheem Sterling was at his very best and Guardiola said: "Raheem is playing really good. But he's young and has to learn a lot. He has a lot of quality, he’s fast, has a good work ethic, can play right or left, go out to the line or go in the middle.
"He's a fantastic player. That's why Manchester City were so clever to buy him last season.
"All the players are important. We have to create a good team spirit and we’ve seen that in the two games."
David Silva and new boy Nolito were also on the score sheet as City had more more than 20 attempts on goal.
Kevin De Bruyne bossed the Steaua midfielders. He also brushed aside Aguero's spot kick cock-ups, saying: "Sergio scored three goals so what can you say. It happens. No one will complain about the penalties. A laser shone in his face for the first one - the authorities will do what they have to do.
"We played really well and it was a good game. Even at 5-0 it could have been 8-0 or 9-0. But we have a really good advantage. We said at half-time we needed to score a couple more and now we have a real advantage."