Guardiola says City in “different situation” ahead of Champions League clash with Inter
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed that his team finds themselves in a different circumstance compared to when they faced defeat in the 2021 Champions League final against Chelsea.
With City set to encounter Inter Milan in this season’s final on Saturday, a victory would mark them as the first English team to achieve the treble since their rivals Manchester United accomplished the feat in 1999.
During a media interaction prior to the match, Guardiola commented, “I can’t speak for the players, some were there some weren’t, it’s a different situation.
“Two years ago isn’t long and of course we want to finish differently but we have to know exactly what we have to do. In terms of approach, what to do with and without the ball.
Hear from @pepteam ahead of this weekend's #UCLfinal ????
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“In that moment we were just preparing a final, we’d lost two times against Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea and had some doubts.
“It is not the same but they play five in the back, Chelsea and Inter. The approach was defensive too but of course Chelsea also had incredibly good patterns to punish us. It is not similar but there are some things.”
When asked about City being labeled as favorites in the final, Guardiola responded, “We are used to it. Why should it be more dangerous?
“Accept the role and go out there knowing the quality of the opponents. We accept what people say, no problem.”
Reflecting on the 2021 final, Guardiola downplayed the impact of leaving midfielder Rodri on the bench and stated, “It was a game plan like it will be next Saturday,” the Spaniard added.
“If I tell you privately the reason why I took the decision in that moment you could say it was right but it is simple: If I lose, I am wrong, if I win I am right.
“You have to accept that in this business. It was a tight game and in many things we were better than them but we lost.
“Would I do something different now? Maybe but that doesn’t count.”
