Matthaus takes dig at Pep Guardiola: “Guardiola stole the Champions League from the fans”
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The Bayern Munich club legend, Lothar Matthäus, took a swipe at Pep Guardiola for his poor team selection against Chelsea in the Champions League finals. According to the former German international team gaffer, Pep Guardiola’s over-thinking and imagination cost Manchester City the Champions League. In an interview with Sky Germany, Matthaus took a dig at the former Bayern Munich manager.
Pep Guardiola did not start with a defensive midfielder despite having Rodri and Fernandinho at his disposal. Thomas Tuchel’s men scored the only goal of the game and sealed the title on Saturday at Porto. Though Pep introduced Fernandinho at the hour mark, Chelsea held on to the small lead. Riyad Mahrez’s effort in the dying embers of the game went in vain as the Stamford Bridge outfit lifted the coveted European title.
What did Matthaus say about Pep Guardiola?
Being critical of Pep Guardiola’s line-up for the finals against Chelsea, Matthaus believes that he stole the joy from Manchester City’s fans. Talking to Sky Germany, he said:
With his line-up he stole the Champions League from the club and the fans and he has to rightly listen to the harsh criticism from all sides. I am sure that there will be internal discussions about whether to part with him. The players will doubt him since that final. He had to try something again, present an imaginary ingenuity at the worst possible moment and totally deserved to lose
In the absence of a holding midfielder in the middle of the park, Manchester City failed to break Chelsea’s lines and register a shot on target. Though the substitution was made at the hour mark, the Blues looked like a settled side. Along with these, N Golo Kante’s tireless run in the middle of the park made life difficult for Manchester City. Matthaus said that Pep deserved to lose the finals in the absences of a holding midfielder.
How can you play without a defensive midfielder in the most important game in club history, who was on the pitch in almost every game of the season, who ensures the balance, who gives everyone involved the necessary security?
Despite all the rumors, Pep Guardiola has iterated his interest to stay in England. The club has drawn the transfer plans as well for the summer transfer window.
Also Read: Achraf Hakimi transfer news: PSG in pursuit to sign Hakimi from Inter
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Varun Aithal
(480 Articles Published)