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- The knives were being sharpened as Bayern toiled in the first half against Juventus on Wednesday but their subsequent comeback proves just how good the Spanish coach is
If Champions League success will define Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich reign, it will also colour his first few months in charge of Manchester City.
At half-time on Wednesday evening, with Bayern trailing Juventus 2-0 at the Allianz Arena – having thrown away a two-goal lead in Turin – the axes were being sharpened.
Guardiola’s team, three years into his sophisticated plans, were being played off the pitch. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. But it was happening, and what did it mean for City?
All eyes are on Pep’s European progress as he enters the final weeks of a three-year period in Germany where success at the very highest level is an expectation. No other coach is judged in this way but his exploits at Barcelona, and the treble-winning squad he inherited, demand Champions League glory. He admits as much himself.
Two crushing semi-final defeats – the first of which, against Real Madrid two years ago, was the "biggest f*** up" of his career – have added extra scrutiny this time around. Another semi-final was considered a given. Nobody expected what was, seemingly, about to unfold on Wednesday.
Certainly not City striker Sergio Aguero, who admitted to reporters 24 hours hence, after the Blues booked their place in the last eight, that he wanted to avoid both Bayern and Barcelona in Friday’s draw, although neither had yet qualified.
If Champions League success will define Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich reign, it will also colour his first few months in charge of Manchester City.
At half-time on Wednesday evening, with Bayern trailing Juventus 2-0 at the Allianz Arena – having thrown away a two-goal lead in Turin – the axes were being sharpened.
Guardiola’s team, three years into his sophisticated plans, were being played off the pitch. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. But it was happening, and what did it mean for City?
All eyes are on Pep’s European progress as he enters the final weeks of a three-year period in Germany where success at the very highest level is an expectation. No other coach is judged in this way but his exploits at Barcelona, and the treble-winning squad he inherited, demand Champions League glory. He admits as much himself.
Two crushing semi-final defeats – the first of which, against Real Madrid two years ago, was the "biggest f*** up" of his career – have added extra scrutiny this time around. Another semi-final was considered a given. Nobody expected what was, seemingly, about to unfold on Wednesday.
Certainly not City striker Sergio Aguero, who admitted to reporters 24 hours hence, after the Blues booked their place in the last eight, that he wanted to avoid both Bayern and Barcelona in Friday’s draw, although neither had yet qualified.
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