Pep Guardiola is a coach who knows how to deal with high-stakes situations like this, where psychological mind games are often more important. This time, the Manchester City manager refused to offer even simple advice to Alvaro Arbeloa, unlike when he faced Xabi Alonso last December.
What did Josep Guardiola say to Arbeloa?
When asked if he would be willing to give advice to Arbeloa, who is facing the big challenge of being Real Madrid’s manager, he surprisingly declined, explaining, “I don’t know him.”
Asked in a press conference if he had anything to say, as he previously did to Xabi Alonso, Guardiola replied: “I give advice to people I have lived with, I give advice to people I know.”
The Manchester City manager also declared: “Madrid will always be Madrid,” adding that he sees only subtle tactical differences between Alonso’s side and the current team led by Arbeloa. Still, the real answer will be revealed on the pitch next Tuesday when the two teams meet in the UEFA Champions League.
Meanwhile, Guardiola did not miss the opportunity to joke about the current situation surrounding Kylian Mbappé, following the recent reports of his relationship with Spanish actress Esther Exposito. The City manager asked if his opinion on the topic really mattered and revealed that his only focus at the moment is the next Champions League match.
