Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has responded with humour to claims that he overthinks Champions League matches, joking he might even field “12 players” against Atletico Madrid. The Premier League leaders host the Spanish side in the quarter-final first leg on Tuesday.
Critics have previously scrutinised Guardiola for his team selections in high-stakes games, including last season’s Champions League final against Chelsea, when City started without a holding midfielder and were defeated 1-0.
“In the Champions League I always overthink,” Guardiola said, blending seriousness with light-heartedness. “I always create new tactics and ideas – and tomorrow you will see a new one. I overthink a lot, that’s why I have very good results in the Champions League. I love it. It would be boring if I always played the same way. If people think I will play the same against Atletico and Liverpool, I don’t think like that because the movements from Liverpool are completely different than Atletico – especially because the players are all different. That’s why I love to overthink and create stupid tactics, and when we don’t win I am punished. I will take inspiration and I’m going to do incredible tactics. We play with 12!”
Guardiola also praised Atletico Madrid, rejecting criticism of the Spanish side’s style under Diego Simeone. “I’m not going to talk one second about these stupid debates,” he said. “I think, after watching Atletico, there is a misconception about the way he plays. It’s more offensive than people could believe. He doesn’t want to take risks in the build-up but, after, they have quality and play really well in the final third.”
City now focus on maintaining their domestic form, with a crucial Premier League clash against second-place Liverpool coming up on Sunday.
