Pep Guardiola reveals what he told his players after they were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. The defending champions couldn’t progress pass the quarter-final stage, their hope of retaining the title ended after a lost during the penalty shootout with Real Madrid.
Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic were unsuccessful in converting their penalty kicks, while their opponents only missed one attempt, taken by Luka Modric. Despite the defeat, Manchester City were unquestionably the superior team throughout the match, and Pep Guardiola expressed satisfaction with his players’ performance.
They will have to focus on the Emirate FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea on Saturday and will be determined to go on to win the Premier League title once again having gained a two-points advantage over their title rivals.
Speaking during the pre-match press conference ahead of the FA Cup match, Pep Guardiola revealed what he told his players after the mid-week setback.
“After the game I said thank you to them. We talked about the game, being ourselves. All of us, we wanted to win, but we never know what’s going to happen, but at least try to be ourselves and more than ever we were ourselves, but it was not enough.”
The City boss said he thanked his players for what they have done in the past and the spirit to fight at the highest level despite all they have achieved.
“And after that happened, I said thank you to all of them, to dignify the profession, the job, what they do, after what they have done in the past, the humility to try it again, and after that not even one word.”
Pep Guardiola Opens Up About Bernardo Silva’s Poor Spot-Kick Against Real Madrid
Bernardo Silva’s penalty attempt against Real Madrid was arguably the most terrible spot-kick of the match, if not one of the worst in recent competition history. The Portuguese midfielder appeared to be unfocused as he struck the ball straight into the waiting hand of Real Madrid’s goalkeeper.
However, while many City supporters were surprised and condemned the penalty attempt, Pep Guardiola insisted that he would never judge him because he wanted to score, and perhaps he took responsibility and show willingness to take the kick. The City boss claimed that Bernardo is ready to face Chelsea this weekend.
“It’s fine, he missed, he didn’t want to. It happens. But being there, responsibility for everyone, when that happens, I’ll never judge. I have big respect”