The UCL final between Manchester City and Inter Milan is just one game away, but the Blues must first find a method to win against the all-time top European champions and hope they don’t respond.
The importance of this match cannot be overstated. City have a very real chance of winning the coveted treble, and Pep is fully aware of the weight that expectation carries. They could also win their first Champions League trophy, which many claim is the reason Guardiola was brought to the club.
The Catalan coach stated, “I’m not overthinking tomorrow, don’t worry folks,” when speaking to the media on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday night’s pivotal second leg at the Etihad, drawing a mocking laugh from everyone in the room.
Pep Guardiola has been accused of “overthinking” tactics numerous times in the past, particularly before important games and while he was at City.
He’s frequently surprised us, whether it was switching up the left-back position for a crucial game, hinting at “ridiculous ideas” before the Manchester derby, or leaving out in-form players like Raheem Sterling in the Champions League quarterfinal against Liverpool in the 2017–18 season.
And then there was the time last year when his team probably had their finest chance to capture that elusive trophy after playing too defensively against Lyon in the 19/20 semifinals and not selecting either Rodri or Fernandinho for their final European final against Chelsea the following year.
To be honest, the odd game from last season was simply one of many that Madrid, a team that consistently wins, can create. As far as we can tell, the two-time UCL champion isn’t going to try anything unusual this time, so Pep and his team still need to find a way to get past them.
He said, “I cannot tell you here [but] it’s nothing extraordinary…,” to the reporters. Nothing new from what we’ve already done. Although we’ll improve our play and fluidity a little bit, our opponents will undoubtedly have their arsenal.
Erling Haaland, another someone who has stated he was brought to the club to win the Champions League, is one essential player they didn’t have last year. However, City also possess him in spades.
Come on, Pep, there could be an Oasis reunion at stake here.
Below is a video of Pep Guardiola’s news conference prior to Man City vs. Real Madrid: