Manchester City players formed a guard of honor for departing Bernardo Silva on the final day of the Premier League season against Aston Villa.
Josep Guardiola shed tears as Bernardo Silva left the pitch during Manchester City vs. Aston Villa (Image: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Josep Guardiola broke down in tears as Manchester City players formed a guard of honor for Bernardo Silva. After being substituted, the entire team expressed their gratitude to the captain, who was the last City player to leave the pitch.
Guardiola became emotional as he looked on at the guard of honor before hugging Silva on the way home from the Etihad Stadium. The Portugal international’s contract expires at the end of this season and he will be leaving City.
John Stones does something similar. When he was sent off late in the game, his teammates repeated the gesture.
This was Guardiola’s last game as manager, and both of his departed players started. However, the Catalan coach will maintain links with the club as a global ambassador for City Football Group.
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Silva was overcome with emotion even before the match started, with tears in his eyes as he led City to their final red card. Antoine Semenyo scored the opening goal midway through the first half, giving the side a dream start.
City had a penalty awarded minutes earlier which was overturned by VAR. Aston Villa fought back after half-time and equalized early in the second period thanks to some work from Ollie Watkins.
Mateo Kovacic came on for Silva just before the hour, while Rayan Cherki also came on for goal scorer Semenyo. But the moment came when the Portuguese waved farewell to the City fans.
Pep Guardiola was visibly emotional on the Manchester City touchline (Image: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
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However, Villa showed no sentimentality when play resumed, and just minutes after Silva’s sending off, Watkins scored again to take the lead. Stones then received the same gesture as Guardiola removed the departing defender for his final substitution.
City appeared to have equalized in stoppage time with Phil Foden’s goal, but the attack was ruled out after a VAR review. Guardiola was ultimately sent off in defeat.
Guardiola became visibly emotional again after the full-time whistle. He thanked the fans before taking to the pitch.
Guardiola hugged several Villa players, including Watkins. He then took a moment to look around the scene himself before speaking to Silva.
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