Champions League: “Not sufficient”: Königsklassen-Aus frustrated Guardiola

The whole frustration over the lesson of Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid showed itself at Pep Guardiola in the TV interview immediately after the early Champions League. “Do you think he wouldn’t play if he were fit? Then thank you for the question,” the starting coach from Manchester City flipped the reporter. He had asked him why top striker Erling Haaland had not been used in the 1-3 playoff second leg in Madrid.

“I know, sometimes I make strange decisions,” said Guardiola with an ironic undertone, “but of course I let Haaland play. He was hurt”. Knee problems forced the Norwegian to watch. And what Haaland had to watch from the bank were a helpless Man City, which wasn’t just the Mbappé triple packer.

“It was simply not enough what we showed here,” complained midfielder Bernardo Silva: “We need a solution to fully attack again next year. Because we are a strong team, we are City.”

Does Guardiola still reach the team?

But even the club, which can afford almost every player in the world, is not immune to a tangible crisis. City only has a realistic title chance – namely in the FA Cup. In the Premier League, FC Liverpool, which City is welcomed on Sunday (5.30 p.m.), is rushed unexpiously.

In addition to Haaland, the midfield strategist Rodri, who had been injured for months, was also missing in Madrid. And defender John Stones had to go off the pitch after just a few minutes. Bernardo Silva said that the injuries should not be an excuse.

Guardiola is now asked to set up the team. But is he still able? Not everyone believes in that. Guardiola’s statement before the second leg that the chance to progress for MAN City after the 2: 3 in the first leg at home was only “one percent”, the doubts should increase. His return to Spain finally made a drop that the real fans are tuning “pep stay ‘, pep stay” in the direction of the former coach of the permanent rival FC Barcelona.

Mbappé after three -pack on top

Mbappé, on the other hand, finally felt really arrived at Real after his gala against Man City. “I want to play well here, I want to put my stamp on the season. I want to write history with Real Madrid,” said France’s football star: “The familiarization phase is over for me and now I have to show my quality.”

Mbappé answered with a very pragmatic argument whether he preferred to play against Bayer Leverkusen or against city rival Atlético Madrid. “In fact, both are very good teams,” said the 26-year-old: “But for me it is better to play against Atletico because we don’t have to travel! We have to travel a lot.” The draw will take place on Friday.