BURNLEY, England -- Pep Guardiola admitted it was a relief to get through a testing week successfully after Manchester City earned a 2-1 victory over Burnley.
City beat Crystal Palace 2-1 away last Saturday before securing the 1-1 draw they needed at Borussia Monchengladbach to clinch a place in the Champions League knockout stages in midweek.
Sergio Aguero scored two scrappy goals after Dean Marney's 25-yard strike had given Burnley the lead, and Guardiola said his side had found it difficult at Turf Moor.
"It was a tough week, we played in the Premier League against Crystal Palace and here so it was one of the toughest stadiums with just two days to regenerate after Champions League. We adapted quite well," he told a news conference.
"But of course today was important because we have one week to prepare for Chelsea, Leicester, Watford and Arsenal but it was so important to win because it was so complicated to play.
"You cannot press because they play long balls, they are taller than us. The second balls they are really, really good at that.
"They play wide with full backs and wingers and crosses and corners and throw-ins and free kicks -- it is always difficult to control those things. But hopefully in the future we can control it better."
Guardiola jokingly referred to Aguero's scrappy finishes as "beautiful goals" as both were scrambled in from close range.
Aguero took his tally to 10 Premier League goals and level with leading scorer Diego Costa ahead of Chelsea's game with Tottenham Hotspur but Guardiola revealed he had played through pain in his foot.
"Yesterday we spoke with him. He said, 'I'm in a little bit of pain, but I'm ready,'" Guardiola added. "Today we spoke again, he said he had pain, but can play. That's why he played."
City midfielder Fernandinho praised the spirit of his teammates and said it was the sort of performance they need to put in if they are to challenge for the Premier League.
"I think that is the spirit you need," the Brazilian said. "If you want to be a champion, you have to play a game like this.
"We expected a physical game. We analysed Burnley before and saw they play long balls and play for the second ball and they scored their goal like that -- but we turned it around and fortunately we scored two goals and won today."