Pep Guardiola has said that if he could repeat Manchester City’s loss to Chelsea in the Champions League final, he might pick a different starting XI.
Pep Guardiola addresses Rodri absence in Man City Champions League final defeat to Chelsea
City is getting ready to play Inter in the Champions League final on Saturday in Istanbul. This will be City’s second time on the biggest stage in Europe. Since they already won the Premier League title and the FA Cup, a win against the Italian giants will give them a unique treble.
The Blues are the most likely team to win, just like they were two years ago. But they went home empty-handed from Porto after losing a shocking 1-0 game thanks to Kai Havertz’s goal.
Guardiola was criticized because of the way he chose his team. The boss didn’t play either Rodri or Fernandinho as his first choice for a defensive midfielder. Instead, he put Ilkay Gundogan in the sitting role. It was a choice that many people thought cost City the game.
The Blues are the most likely team to win, just like they were two years ago. But they went home empty-handed from Porto after losing a shocking 1-0 game thanks to Kai Havertz’s goal.
Guardiola was criticized because of the way he chose his team. The boss didn’t play either Rodri or Fernandinho as his first choice for a defensive midfielder. Instead, he put Ilkay Gundogan in the sitting role. It was a choice that many people thought cost City the game.
“It was a plan, just like Saturday will be,” he said. “If I told you personally why I made that choice at that time, you might say it was the right one. But it’s simple: If I lose, I’m wrong, and if I win, I’m right. In this game, you have to accept that.
“It was a close game, and we were better than them in many ways, but we lost. Should I change what I do now? Perhaps, but that doesn’t matter.”
When asked if City’s mood is different now than it was in 2021, Guardiola said, “One week ago, we won the FA Cup. At that time, in 2021, we were getting ready for the final. We had lost twice to Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea team and were having some worries.
“It’s not the same, but both Chelsea and Inter play with five defenders. Their strategy was also defensive, but Chelsea had very good ways to beat us. It’s not the same, but some things are the same. We’ll try to hit a little better, I hope.”
