Pep Guardiola accused of ‘suffocating players’ after Champions League shock exit
Pep Guardiola accused of ‘suffocating players’ after City’s Champions League shock exit against Real Madrid.
Pep Guardiola’s quest for Champions League glory with Manchester City continues after a dramatic extra-time loss to Real Madrid.
Guardiola has been accused of overthinking crucial moments in the competition on numerous occasions.
In last year’s final loss to Chelsea, he chose not to play a defensive midfielder for the first time all season, a choice that received widespread criticism.
Now, a former City player has backed up these claims, alleging that the Catalan coach overreached in the defeat to Madrid.
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Pep Guardiola accused of ‘suffocating players’
Speaking on Sky Sports, ex-Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann gave his thoughts on Guardiola’s mindset.
“If you give players responsibility they act responsibly. If you try to play the game for them they won’t,” he said.
“Guardiola suffocates teams and players to make their own decisions. Compare that to [Carlo] Ancelotti or [Jurgen] Klopp teams.” He added: “It was really heartbreaking (for Man City), they led over the two legs for most of the time.
“But then again, they conceded five goals when Real Madrid hardly had a chance. Ederson only made four saves in the two legs.”
Guardiola took off Kevin De Bruyne and goalscorer Riyad Mahrez before the end of regulation time.
Hamann says Guardiola made the wrong choices during the game which led to an on-field capitulation.
“I always feel with Guardiola’s teams that he kind of takes the responsibility off them, and you can’t win games on a tactic board. Once the whistle goes, you have to make decisions, and not for the first time, his teams made the wrong decisions at the wrong time.”
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