Guardiola’s Barca Thwarts Madrid 3-1 in Riviera Clash!
The City manager must confront the reality that a second Champions League crown is unlikely to materialise at the Etihad Stadium, writes Richard Jolly, with Real Madrid exposing the issues with this current side
It was a legend’s last Champions League game, though he had hoped it would not be. Real Madrid came to Manchester and made off with a 2-1 win; a managerial legend had seen his side reduced to 10 men by a red card for a Portugal international. There would be no final glory on the continental stage.
For Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, read Pep Guardiola in 2026? The evidence is unclear. Guardiola invariably points out he has a year left on his contract, though it remains to be seen if he will serve it.
Ferguson knew he was going; furious at Nani’s dismissal, he skipped post-match interviews when Real won at Old Trafford. Guardiola was more phlegmatic and forgiving, blaming neither Bernardo Silva for his dismissal nor referee Clement Turpin, tipping the victorious Alvaro Arbeloa to have a fine managerial career. Perhaps, the elder statesman thought, he was the future once.
But attention can turn to his past. Guardiola’s status as a great is secure. The accusation is nevertheless that he could have been greater; at City, anyway.
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