Guardiola could not believe the return of Real Madrid. Photo: Reuters.
Real Madrid came from behind in an epic way in the second leg of the Champions League semifinal against Manchester City. There were two goals from Rodrygo, towards the end of the match, and one goal from Benzema from a penalty in the first half of extra time to frame a deadly 3-1. Two days after that event Pep Guardiola spoke to the press and clarified his feelings after the bump.
“Maybe I’m not good enough to help the team do this“, Said the Catalan coach after missing the opportunity to reach his second consecutive final in the European tournament.
And he continued to weep: “There are no words that can help us feel. We just need time, sleep as best we can and think about our next goal, ”he said.
The rivalry between Ancelotti and Guardiola is for the Italian. Photo: Reuters.
Meanwhile, the coach is convinced that they will compete again to reach the final chances: “No one knows what will happen to other players or coaches. We are close, they know it, we know it, but the important thing is we will try again next seasonand again. ”
The only two times Pep has been a champion in the Champions League as a coach has been in 2008-09 and 2010-11 seasonboth have Barcelona. In his following clubs; Bayern Munich and Manchester City, the continental tournament is elusive. And this is something where he is usually criticized.
On millionaire investment Coming to the English club from the Middle East, the former midfielder said: “I was probably wrong, but I have a feeling that the people of Abu Dhabi have bought this club and invested in amazing facilities and players to have what we have. experienced over the years. years, not just to win the Champions League. They did it to be included in all the competitions every season and compete in all the competitions until the end. We want to do it ” . In this regard, he stressed that they never asked for “a title.”
The anger of the Catalan coach. Photo: EFE.
Guardiola also isolated himself from those who believe his cycle on citizens is a failure: “People say that if this team or if Guardiola doesn’t win the Champions League, they are a failure and I totally deny that. We know how difficult it is. We understand that people are sad, because it is so close. The players want to get into that final, but for this club, competing like we did against Madrid, is a joy. “
Regarding the Spanish team led by Carlo Ancelotti -who have also achieved two incredible comebacks against Paris Saint Germain and Chelsea -he reasoned: “Real Madrid have been doing this for years. They have this belief, this history … Di Stéfano, Puskas, Raúl, Cristiano were there and did it, so Rodrygo knew he had to do it too. They fight mentally. We could have done better, but it’s not easy. ”
Meanwhile, the 51-year-old coach stressed the importance of being among the best four teams in Europe: “I think the fact that we are back in the semi-finals is remarkable, we have taken steps to improve. and compete against the good. at home and away. We’re close, but Real Madrid deserves it. “
“We have recovered. We are better than yesterday, and tomorrow we will be better than today. It’s football”, he commented with a certain dose of epic.
Finally, the technical director said the only thing on his mind was the next match this Sunday for matchday 36 of the Premier League: “I’m not thinking about the title, I’m thinking about Newcastle“, sabi.
Clearly, Guardiola has only one bullet left: the local tournament. And the head-to-head dispute with Liverpool is getting exciting. It will be necessary to see if the recent elimination against Real Madrid will condition-or not- the British team’s search for the championship.
Source: Clarin
