Guardiola, without minutes for Julián Álvarez at the Bernabéu: why he didn’t make changes and the day he got angry when asked

real Madrid AND Manchester City drew 1-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, in the first leg of the semi-finals of Champions League, leaving everything open for the rematch on Wednesday 17th, at the Etihad Stadium. The match was very even, with changes in procedure and a feeling of understanding from both teams, especially the visiting team, who dominated at the start but ended up suffering in the end.

Of the match and the great goals of Vinicio Jr.. AND Kevin DeBruyne it will be talked about a lot. Also from the controversy that occurred during the Belgian draw, when at the start of the game the ball seemed to come out of one side, a situation that was not reviewed by the VAR. However, in Argentina, despite having enjoyed a great match, there was a bittersweet feeling of not having been able to enjoy the entry of Giuliano Alvarez.

guardhouse Not only did he not send Julián onto the field, but he made the strange decision not to make any changes, which is curious but more common than is believed in the Spanish manager.

City’s second half didn’t go well and they equalized thanks to a mistake by Camavinga. Erling Haaland was well controlled by German defender Antonio Rüdiger, and both De Bruyne and Grealish and Bernardo Silva were exhausted, allowing Madrid to nearly beat him in attack.

“Why didn’t I make any changes? Because I thought those who were there were fine. Bernardo and Jack (Grealish) hold the ball very well. Real Madrid make very good transitions, if the game goes crazy we need their break. I have I had thought about making changes but in the end I didn’t make them” Guardiola confessed after the match.

Spanish is usually fine in Bernabeu (where they received it between boos), and this Tuesday kept up that trend. He has never lost when he was due for Barcelona, ​​in seven appearances, and recently lost for the first time when he visited with Bayern Munich for the 2013/2014 Champions League and again last year, when the Merengue has already turned the tables. be at Manchester City. With this 1-1 there are a total of 11 games: 6 wins for Pep, 3 draws and 2 wins for Real (both with Ancelotti).

Some data identifying the DT regarding this aspect of the game has started circulating on social networks: not making any changes. Guardiola made no substitutions in the round of 16 against Leipzig either, and at the start of the run against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals he scored just one but forced through injury, when Julián came on for De Bruyne.

In February, when the press pointed out this peculiarity of Guardiola, the Spanish coach was consulted and did not respond with good manners as he did this Tuesday in Madrid.

“I have the ability to make substitutions because it’s the rules of the game; but I’m a very good coach to decide whether or not I have to make substitutions,” Pep told English reporters, reminding them with a touch of arrogance that he is one of the best coaches in the sport.

As for the 1-1 draw against Real Madrid, Pep summed up the game by dividing it into moments. “In our best moment they scored, in their best we did. Very even match. Real Madrid are a fantastic team, the series will be defined in Manchester. This is football, it was something very similar to that of last year” commented the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich player.

And as for Haaland’s weak game, he chose the path of supporting his player: “Erling had two excellent central defenders in marking, it wasn’t easy for him. The match in Manchester will be tremendously tough, we’ll see what we can do.” We will look for more fluidity in attack,” Pep said. Is it time to send Julian to court?