TDespite losing 3-0 to Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, manager Josep Guardiola’s morale does not seem to have diminished in the slightest.
On the contrary, the Manchester City manager was defiant ahead of the Premier League game against West Ham. “We’ll find out on Tuesday because the banks don’t have a lot of bets that we’ll be back,” he said, calling it an “appetizer.”
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager also addressed the much criticism he received for his (hyper-aggressive) approach at the Santiago Bernabéu, saying: “I always think about what’s best for the team.”
“I have lost many times in the knockout stage of the Champions League. Many and many times. I have been slaughtered by the referee’s decisions and what happened. This is not the first time. But I am here, in this position, until the last day. I can argue with the squad’s decisions, but I will not persuade them just because we lost. If there was an argument before, I would understand,” Guardiola said.
I have been devastated by the referee’s decision and what happened. It’s not the first time. Still I’m here, in this position
Far from changing, City’s manager emphasized the same regrets he expressed at the end of the first leg. “I have an opinion about the game in Madrid, but I won’t change that. We did very well,” he said. “And in other parts I could have done better, yes, of course…”
In fact, he went further, calling the approach “outstanding”: “The first 19 or 20 minutes before the first goal were great. Some of the best we’ve ever played at the Bernabeu in terms of ‘we’re here to cause trouble’. We were a threat! But then the emotions kicked in.
The first 20 minutes before the 1-0 game were extraordinary. In terms of ‘we’re here to create danger’, they were some of the best we’ve ever played at the Bernabéu.
Guardiola further fueled the controversy over Donnarumma’s penalty against Vinicius, which the Italian goalkeeper ultimately saved from the Brazilian winger. “Giggio touched the ball. It’s not a penalty,” he said.
Donnarumma touches the ball. No penalty for Vinicius
Before the press conference began, Guardiola warned: “West Ham. Now it’s West Ham. After that you’ll have time to think about Real Madrid.” It had no effect.
But he had time to make it clear that Erling Haaland is fit to face the Hammers, and to stress the importance of this match for City, who sit second, seven points behind Arsenal, and have a chance at the Premier League title, although there is still a game left.
Manager Guardiola reiterated, “There are no second chances anymore. We are desperate to get all three points.”
