‘Riyad is an adult’, ‘does not deserve this’ – Man City fans react to Pep Guardiola’s furious lecture at Mahrez

Pep Guardiola was seen berating wingers Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish during Manchester City’s 6-3 win over RB Leipzig on Wednesday

Despite his side netting six goals, City were as open in defence as they were clinical in attack, leaving Guardiola cutting a frustrated figure in the technical area.

The game was an open affair and French midfielder Christopher Nkunku enhanced his reputation with a well-taken hat-trick in a losing cause.

Algeria captain Mahrez felt Guardiola’s wrath on the 63rd minute when he called him over to the touchline and directed a furious lecture in his direction for the world to see.

Guardiola gesticulated and shouted at the forwards in a way reminiscent of his famous on-field ‘talk’ with Joshua Kimmich during his time at Bayern Munich.

When asked why he was unhappy towards his two players, Guardiola said: “We spoke in half-time about the way we had to do it and they didn’t do it. But it happens.

“They [Leipzig] are so good, they make four players in the build-up to attract you, and after they find you behind the holding midfielders, where there are a lot of players, when the ball goes outside put it inside.

“And after they are so fast to attack in behind. So, it’s not absolutely easy to control it.”

Man City fans took to social media to express their feelings at the events.

That's the most cryptic answer I've ever seen

— Eddy (@Grim_O4) September 16, 2021

Didnt like it all. Riyad is an adult not a toddler.

— Abel Mokopakgosi (@AbelMokopakgos1) September 15, 2021

Not surprised. Didn't even know he was playing other than the penalty.

— Mike Nixon (@fowlershomer) September 15, 2021

So what I find funny about this is rival fans claiming he’s treating mahrez with disrespect or acting up for the camera – he never once looks at the camera, he always acts like this and is never satisfied during the game to improve his players that’s why he’s one of the best…

— Alfie Brown (@ace14b) September 15, 2021

How do you give advice, Guardiola!! Mahrez is a big star and he does not deserve this treatment at all. This is a lack of respect and an outright transgression of all tactful methods of dealing. Would Guardiola have done it with Dobroin, Rahim, Messi or Krenich, for example, for

— AbdessalamAdaouri (@AbdessalamAdao2) September 15, 2021

He is a perfectionist. Nothing new here.

— Sphamandla Mdletshe (@spha_201) September 15, 2021

It’s what a great manger does…. To improve his players he did the same thing with Kimmich and now look at him he’s a beast! Some people will try and twist everything, there’s a reason ex players only speak highly of him, ole needs to act like this – pep and tuchel are elite.

— Alfie Brown (@ace14b) September 15, 2021

That's what pep does to Kimmich and other players it's called great managing you'll never see Ole shouting at his players.

— Omar (@Omzlovesciteh) September 15, 2021

While Pep explaining and Mahrez point his thumb backward, kinda tells it's all about his defensive work rate, I love Riyad, but yesterday his work rate was not up to mark, the penalty was a beautiful.Btw Pep did same with Jack, you guys can go and watch Jack's flash interview.

— Waheed Ali (@WaheedA69079294) September 16, 2021