‘That selection cost us pep’, ‘it’s on you’ – Man City fans reacts as Guardiola defends his tactics after Champions League final loss to Chelsea

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.

The Premier Leaque champions were left disappointed in their first ever Champions League final appearance after going down 1-0 to Chelsea in Porto.

The Cityzens went into the game as favourites to lift the trophy but were unable to secure the prize. Afterwards, manager Pep Guardiola was bullish about the team’s chances of making up for the loss.

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. Gundogan played many years in this position,” Guardiola said after the match

“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).”

In reaction to these Guardiola’s comments shared on twitter by City chief, Many Man City fans have been sharing their thoughts and opinions.

That selection cost us pep. Like Delph once said stick to the basics

— Get a striker ASAP (@Fodeninho_) May 29, 2021

how on earth is having no defensive midfielder and Raheem Sterling starting the best selection, get a grip pep please

— foden💙🦈 (@FodenFantastic) May 29, 2021

Is it though ?? yes his decisions to change tactics again but really did that make the worlds best passer become unable to pass the ball , did it make the whole team unable to control the ball and lose it on every occasion, did it make them freeze on the occasion

— Michael Lofthouse (@MichaelLofthou5) May 29, 2021

Men pep are you kidding me now
Picking Sterling over kun was your best decision

— oba of unn (@Raj_ibb) May 29, 2021

Playing with no dm against a counter attacking team and playing sterling who has been out of form for 3 months in a cl final is the best decision?

— Issam Kaissi 🌐 (@kaissi_issam) May 29, 2021

Pep Guardiola is responsible for this defeat No DM + No No.9 Striker poor selection . You put Sterling in your selection Why? .

— Mohammed Nur (@karaama996) May 29, 2021

Pep i love you like crazy but this is on you im sorry, im fuming, depressed, anxious i know it’s just a game of football but that’s what im feeling right now

— ScottjerbiBlaze77💯 (@Scottjerbi2) May 29, 2021