Following the heavy 0-3 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League, Pep Guardiola defended his tactical choices in a speech lasting over four minutes while previewing Manchester City's match against West Ham this Saturday. At the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Guardiola opted for an offensive 4-2-2-2 system, but the team ended up losing due to a hat trick from Federico Valverde, putting them in a delicate position in the European tie. "Do I have to explain [my choices] before and after the game? After 10 years? I wouldn't convince any of you for a second," Guardiola stated. "Why? Because we lost 3-0, we were destroyed, yes, it's normal. It's not personal, believe me, this happens to all coaches." "And every time I lose, pew pew pew" 🔫😂 Pep Guardiola joked about the noise and criticism that follows every defeat when discussing the reaction to Manchester City’s team selection before the Real Madrid game 👀. The Spanish coach said he is used to being the main target of criticism whenever his team loses. "It's not the first time I've played in this competition, the Champions League, I've been playing in it for 17 years, and every time I lose, boom! My God… Pew, pew, pew," he said, mimicking gunshots with his fingers. "Is it new? No, it's all good. The storm passed in a day, now it's West Ham and we prepare for Tuesday," he said, referring to the second leg of the tie against Real. Despite City having more possession than Real Madrid, the team failed to score, and Guardiola attributed the lack of effectiveness to the need for his players to have more instinct: "Players in the area need to move before the pass, to sense where the ball will land. You make a movement, anticipate the opponent before the ball is played, and score. It's a matter of courage and instinct, that's all." Looking at the Premier League, Guardiola admitted that his team is "desperate" for the three points against West Ham to close the gap to league leaders Arsenal. The 55-year-old coach comes into this match after being awarded the Premier League Manager of the Month for February, a prize he hadn't received since December 2021, after accumulating 12 points out of a possible 15.
Following the Real Madrid remains central to this story.
Following the Real Madrid remains central to this story.
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