Pep Guardiola has defended his decision to switch Manchester City’s tactics for the Champions League final against Chelsea, insisting his team “were brilliant in the second half” despite losing the match 1-0.
Kai Havertz scored the winning goal for Chelsea as Thomas Tuchel got the better of Guardiola for the third time this season after succeeding Frank Lampard in January.
Guardiola decided on an attacking starting lineup with Ilkay Gundogan playing a holding midfield role and both Fernandinho and Rodri left on the bench.
“I decided on the decision to have quality players,” Guardiola said after the match
What did Guardiola say?
He 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.”
Speaking to BT Sport, he added: “It has been an exceptional season for us. It was a tight game. We had chances.
“We were brilliant in the second half, we were brave and we could not convert the chances as they were so strong. The players were exceptional. We come back maybe one day again!
“I did what I thought was the best decision (on his team selection).”
Did Guardiola ‘over-think’ his Champions League Final tactics?
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