'Ilkay Gundogan has picked up where he left off, hasn't he?', came the question. Pep Guardiola looked a little confused, particularly after saying Gundogan was still far from his best for Manchester City only a few days before.
He praised Gundogan's performance against Slovan Bratislava before dropping a pretty big bit of criticism in the way of his former captain and neighbour. "The game in Newcastle was not really good, maybe one of the worst ive ever seen in the last eight or nine years.
But it happens." ALSO READ: 'I have the feeling' - Pep Guardiola delivers clear Phil Foden judgement ALSO READ: Man City star Matheus Nunes to face no further action amid exaggerated 'arrest' reports Guardiola had challenged Gundogan at St James' Park to rediscover his best form, but stopped short of such headline-grabing criticism.
He enjoys a good relationship with Gundogan and the German was his first signing. Maybe it's because Gundogan is so consistent but criticism like that is rare and unusual - you get the feeling conversations like that usually take place behind closed doors with someone like Gundogan.