Pep Guardiola has conceded he might select a different starting XI if given the chance to relive Manchester City's Champions League final defeat to Chelsea.
City are preparing for their second time on Europe's biggest stage when they take on Inter in the Champions League final on Saturday in Istanbul. With the Premier League title and FA Cup already secured, a win over the Italian giants will clinch a historic treble.
The Blues are the overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy, just as they were two years ago. But they left Porto empty handed having slipped to a shock 1-0 defeat thanks to Kai Havertz' winner.
Guardiola came in for criticism in the fallout for his team selection. The manager didn't play either of his first choice defensive midfielders Rodri or Fernandinho, and instead decided to play Ilkay Gundogan in the sitting role. It was a decision that was viewed by many as a costing City the game.
ALSO READ: Phil Foden change could signal Man City Plan B if two key players leave this summer
Looking back ahead of City's return to the final, Guardiola remains defiant over the tight margins of the game but hinted the selection was perhaps a mistake.
"It was a gameplan like it will be on Saturday," he said. "If I tell you privately the reason why I took the decision in that moment you could say it was right but it is simple: If I lose, I am wrong, if I win I am right. You have to accept that in this business.
"It was a tight game and in many things we were better than them but we lost. Would I do something different now? Maybe, but that doesn't count."
When asked is anything different in City's mood this time around compared to 2021, Guardiola replied: "One week ago we won the FA Cup. In that moment (2021) we were just preparing a final, we'd lost two times against Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea and had some doubts.
"It is not the same but they play five in the back, Chelsea and Inter, the approach was defensive too but of course Chelsea also had incredibly good patterns to punish us. It is not similar but there are some things. Hopefully we can attack a little bit better."
READ NEXT:
