Manchester City news: Pep Guardiola jokes about 'stupid tactics' ahead of Champions League clash
- Planet Sport writer
- 4 April 2022
Manchester City come up against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night, and after previously facing criticism over his tactics in the Champions League, Pep Guardiola suggested he could switch it up again.
While Manchester City have enjoyed plenty of domestic success under Pep Guardiola, the Citizens still await a first European title.
An agonizing defeat to Chelsea in last season's final extended their wait, and Guardiola faced criticism after the match for switching up the tactics that saw so much success in the Premier League.
City again find themselves in the last eight of the tournament this season, and face a tough task against Atletico Madrid over two legs in the quarter-finals.
The Spanish side knocked out rivals Manchester United in the previous round, and are now looking to book a spot in the final four under enigmatic manager Diego Simeone.
But while many are looking forward to the tactical battle between Guardiola and Simeone, the City boss poked fun at the criticism of his tactics in his pre-match press conference.
Guardiola sarcastically said: "In the Champions League always I overthink. New tactics, tomorrow you will see a new one.
"I overthink a lot, that's why I have very good results in the Champions League. It would be boring if I always played the same way.
"The movements are different, the players are all different with different personalities.
"That's why I overthink and create stupid tactics. Tonight I will take an inspiration and I'm going to do incredible tactics tomorrow. We will play with 12 tomorrow!"
Fans and pundits are looking forward to the clash of styles on Tuesday night, as Guardiola's free-flowing and expansive style of play comes up against Simeone's well-organised, rigid counter-attacking unit.
.@PepTeam shares his thoughts ahead of our #UCL clash! 💭🗣#ManCity pic.twitter.com/0wx4FewsIT
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 4, 2022
However, when questioned about the clash of styles, Guardiola quickly dismissed the debate, suggesting both managers will simply play to win the tie.
"I'm not going to talk one second about this stupid debate. Everyone tries to win the game.
"If they win they are right, if we win we are right. It's for the players, the difference will be there.
"What is playing ugly? My team won in Old Trafford 1-0 and Bernardo Silva spent five minutes in the corner. That is not ugly, it's defending the position.
"I never judge the opponents, what they do."
The two sides will first meet at the Etihad Stadium for the first leg, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 BST on April 5.