Pep Guardiola clarifies decision that shocked Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel.
Pep Guardiola has clarified his choice not to start with a holding midfielder as Manchester City lost the Champions League final to Chelsea.
And he said he did not know if he has any regrets about his choice and tactics.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel revealed he had been shocked that Fernandinho was not in the line-up, but said that he and his staff had predicted everything else City had purposed.
City lost 1-0 after a frustrating display in Porto, in which the Londoners’ defensive midfielder N’Golo Kante taking man of the match honors.
Guardiola chose to leave both holding players – Fernandinho and Rodri – on the subs bench until he brought on the Brazilian in the second half.
He has played one or the other in almost every other game this term but changed it for the final – a tinker that he appeared to have rolled out of his make-up.
Chelsea took full authority, endangering the lack of cover, while City’s much-vaunted defense had its worst game for some time.
It was an attacking choice from Guardiola – it enabled him to squeeze Raheem Sterling into a strong front five, and he played Ilkay Gudogan as the holding man.
That has worked in the past, usually against teams that play deep, when the Germany international’s passing nature makes a variation.
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Guardiola said:
“I decided the decision, to have quality players. Gundogan played many years in this position.
“To have speed, to find the small players, the quality, the brilliant players, inside, in the middle and between the lines. This was the decision.”
Asked if he regretted anything about his choice and tactics, Guardiola chose to praise Chelsea, who were outstanding on the night.
“I don’t know – the decisions I made, the players did everything to try to win the game.”
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was shocked that Fernandinho did not start, saying:
“I expected Fernandinho in the line-up. He chose a very offensive, technical line-up, very hard to steal the ball and recover the ball. Everything else we pretty much expected.
“I think the game was exceptional, the first time we are here.”
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Pep Guardiola clarifies decision that shocked Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel.
