2023-06-12 08:02:46
Fate: “It was written in the stars”
In the end, “this fucking tournament,” as Guardiola said, immediately apologizing for the foul language used, was decided on details. It was not the best version of City, trapped in the tactical web that Inter wove for him. In addition, the English team was entangled to the point that they felt gripped by the pressure so that the ball, which usually flies, flowed slowly and fearfully. In the end, he kissed the Champions League.
Because? “It was written in the stars,” proclaimed the coach citizen. “Revenge for me? No. What changes? Am I wiser now? Am I better now?” Guardiola was questioning himself. “What would have happened if Ederson didn’t save that ball? They would say again that I’m bad. It’s like that”, certified the coach.
“It’s not about winning the Champions League, it’s about always being there. We don’t want to win the Champions League and then disappear. We want to be there for seven, eight years… And like that, you ever win it,” the coach certified. And he won it in Istanbul after losing it two years ago in Porto.
The harangue: “We are a ‘happy flower’ team!” He shouted in January
City was second in the Premier, unable to look into the eyes of an unleashed Arsenal. Guardiola sensed the danger. Not only was defending the league crown at stake but, perhaps, the entire season. Then he raised his voice. He spoke to the press, but, in reality, as if it were Cruyff, he was addressing his players, whom he saw comfortable, installed in the laziness that success provides.
“We lack passion, we lack energy,” exclaimed the coach, appealing to recover the lost fire. And not only in the dressing room. “I want a reaction from the club, from the entire organization. I want the fans to demand and pressure us. Let them yell at us more!” Guardiola stressed, shortly before launching one last message. To whom was he directed? To all.
“We’re a ‘happy flower’ team! If we play like that, they’re going to destroy us.” And that City had beaten Antonio Conte’s Tottenham (4-2). Since then, flames of passion and good play have pushed Guardiola’s team towards the clover. The English team played 31 games since the coach’s desperate cry.
He achieved 24 victories in a huge reaction in which he gave up five draws and only lost two games – precisely against Tottenham in London (1-0) and the inconsequential loss against Brentford (1-0) -, prior to two finals won in one week: the FA Cup against United (2-1) and the Champions League against Inter (1-0).
The tactic: “The change? Play with four center backs”
Flag Guardiola with fanaticism the offensive game, twisting daily his tactical plan to find new routes towards the goal. With Haaland (53 games, 52 goals) he had simplified that path. Where, however, is the big change for City? It is not above but behind.
“Playing with four central defenders. We are much more solid in the area,” the coach told questions from Thierry Henry on the television set that CBS installed on the lawn of the Istanbul Olympic Stadium.
The proud technician cited the names of Stones (defensive winger and midfielder at the beginning of the attacking game), Akanji, Ruben Dias and Aké. Not a single side. So that? Guardiola hardened the face of City until it was completely transformed.
They have only conceded five goals in 13 Champions League games, where they have not lost a single game, signing eight wins and giving up five draws.
It has been, who would have thought!, a mature and chameleonic team, prudent at the Bernabéu, unleashed later at the Etihad, astute in interpreting the game. In eight of those 13 games he has kept a clean sheet, signing some impeccable defensive qualifiers.
The Stones+Akanji+Ruben Dias+Aké formula hardened City’s face and gave it solidity and hierarchy behind
In the round of 16, City endorsed an 8-1 run against Leipzig; in the quarterfinals, 4-1 against Bayern Munich; in the semifinals, 5-1 against Madrid, whom he dispossessed of his European crown, causing the revolution that Florentino Pérez had planned to come forward.
In other words, if the final is included, Ederson has only conceded three goals in the seven decisive matches of the tournament, which supports the change of skin that Guardiola has injected. Inter shot twice (14 shots) than City (7). And more Italians on goal (6) than English (4), equipped by the band of four centrals, the coach’s safety net.
The philosophy: “The Champions League destroys projects; not here. Thank you, Txiki; thank you, Soriano”
Without anyone asking him, Guardiola found a quick connection to the first and only European Cup he won as a Barça player. It was in 1992, the beginning of the ‘Dream Team’. “In the finals you play with a lot of pressure, except Koeman, who played as if he were in his garden,” certified the City coach, who also found points of connection with the origin of Barça’s glorious era.
It was also an Italian team. La Sampdoria, in May 1992; Inter, in June 2023. And Rodri, a midfielder, the position to which Guardiola gave a new dimension, was transformed into the hero of Istanbul. “It reminded me a lot of that final at Wembley, with that feeling of chewing gum that never ends,” confessed the coach, who is perfectly connected to the Barca ideology that governs Manchester.
It nests there, for example, since 2012 Little Begiristain, author of two projects for Barça champions (first with Rijkaard in Paris-2006 and then with Guardiola in Rome 2009). And the Catalan coach is in England because before he was the Basque sports director.
“The Champions League destroys projects. In another club they would have thrown me out and here they have put up with me”, argued Guardiola, praising the patience and calm that both Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano have transmitted to himel CEO del City Football Group.
“In another club they would have thrown me out, here they have put up with me”
Pep Guardiola, City manager
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If he continues in Manchester (he renewed for two more years so he would be, for now, up to nine) it is because of the ecosystem provided by Txiki, Soriano and Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the president who oversees investment from Abu Dhabi. Guardiola was barely four years at the Camp Nou. In Manchester, and “with the job already done” and a shamrock in hand, he will start his eighth season in a month.
The ecosystem that the City has created for him is perfect. She has Txiki next to her. And for him he continues to renew. He will now start his eighth season in England. At the Camp Nou he was only four
Before the start of the final, Guardiola received a message from Sir Alex Ferguson, the sole owner of the club in England. He did it in 1999 with United. Now Guardiola is already at his side. A Guardiola just as excited, after the final, when remembering his origins. “14 years ago the triplet with Barça. 14 was Johan Cruyff’s number. A sign that he was our turn.” And he played.
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