Pep Guardiola has taken aim at his critics ahead of Bayern Munich’s UEFA Champions League semifinal 2nd leg against Atletico Madrid. The former Barcelona manager reminded everyone of his succesful, trophy-laden career as manager, using that to sarcastically note that he is undeservedly criticized.
Guardiola made the comments when facing the gathered press ahead of his side’s pivotal Champions League tie. Bayern are trailing 1-0 after Saul Niguez’s wondergoal in the first leg, with Guardiola being criticized for not starting with Thomas Muller. However Guardiola was defiant, saying “The problem people have with me is that I've won so many titles.”
“An hour before the game you'll see who will start, We have to interpret each game scenario and play according to our philosophy. In Madrid, we didn't lose because Muller didn't start and his presence isn't the only thing that will determine Tuesday's outcome.”
Muller expressed his disappointment at not starting after the game, which provoked a series of criticisms aimed at the outgoing Bayern boss. In a similar vein, fit again Franck Ribery has pleaded publicly with his Spanish manager to start him against Atletico Madrid, with Guardiola leaving the Frenchman on the bench in the first leg, with countryman Kingsley Coman starting in his place.
Guardiola claims his Bayern play differently to Barcelona
Bayern Munich’s style of play has changed under Guardiola, with the Spaniard full implementing his tiki-taka philosophy on the Bavarians, which has led to multiple Bundesliga titles, although a Champions League trophy has eluded Guardiola’s Bayern.
However, the Spaniard has seen plenty of critics of his style, with notable managers such as former Bayern, Juventus and Inter manager Giovanni Trapattoni saying “Tiki-taka puts me to sleep.”
Guardiola feels that the style of play that his Bayern side employ is different to that of the all-conquering Barcelona side he left, saying “You have to adapt to the squad you have. If I wanted to play the exact same way I did in Spain, I would have stayed there.”
The Catalan is not as impressed with his current Bayern side, noting that he expects an improvement in the Bavarians performances as he hopes to sign off his Bayern career in style, saying "It is a great honour to be in the semi-final, but we have to improve our performance if we are to reach the final in Milan.”
