Pep Guardiola was on good form when speaking to the media ahead of Manchester City's Champions League meeting with Atletico Madrid, as he addressed one of the few criticisms levelled at him during his time at the club.
Rightly or wrongly, City's exits from the competition in recent years have been widely put down to errors on Guardiola's part. Many point to his decision to drastically change City's formation for the defeat to Lyon in 2020, and his call to start last season's final without a holding midfielder (he had selected either Rodri or Fernandinho in the previous 61 matches) as evidence that Guardiola overthinks on the big occasions.
On Monday Guardiola addressed that accusation in his typical dry, sarcastic way as City prepare to lock horns with Atletico. The first leg is at the Etihad Stadium tonight (Tuesday) at 8pm.
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"In the Champions League, I always overthink, I always create new tactics and ideas, and tomorrow you will see a new one," he told reporters. "I overthink a lot, absolutely it’s fair (to say that). That’s why I’ve had very good results in the Champions League. It would be boring, my job, if all the time I had to win the same way.
"Opponents have different ways to play. If people think I’ll approach Atletico the same way as Liverpool I don’t mind — I don’t think about that. The movements of Liverpool are completely different from Atletico Madrid, especially because every player is different. I have to adapt. That’s why I love to overthink with stupid tactics, and if I don’t win I look stupid.
"Tonight I will take inspiration and do incredible tactics tomorrow. We’ll play with 12 tomorrow."
Guardiola was obviously having a bit of fun — as he has done in the past with the 'Fraudiola' jibes — although there was a hint of acceptance that he is prone to going over the top when analysing opponents.
Either way, the reaction to his comments caused a stir online, even if it did take some a while to realise he was joking around.
@fan_foden: Omg he is in that mood tonight. Atletico be warned.
u/FierrahTheFerocious: LW - Scott Carson, ST - Zack Steffen, RW - Ederson
@vishihegde: He is no visionary if he plays 12. Bayern already did that this weekend.
@JosephineMayfa1: Every year in April, like clockwork, the Pep Guardiola Trolling Show intensifies.
@NK_ESQ: Sarcastic Pep is definitely my favourite Pep.
@SpideyMicMON: Proper Manc sarcasm
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