The irony of how superbly Lionel Messi played in Barcelona's 4-0 defeat of Manchester City simply linked to the fact that he's beginning to treat his former mentor a trifle too robustly. Pep Guardiola has come back to the Camp Nou twice as a rival manager and during two aggregate 7-0 defeats it is his star pupil, Messi, who has scored five times, got an assist and won a penalty.Not what you'd call gratitude.But, all joking aside, what stood out about the Argentinian's hat-trick (taking him to six goals in the UEFA Champions League already this season)... UEFA.com - News
Tag: guardiola
Mourinho v Guardiola: The Clásico years
Manchester United v Manchester City. José Mourinho v Josep Guardiola.Mourinho and Guardiola have history – from their first meeting, when the Portuguese was a member of the Barcelona coaching setup and the Spaniard still a player, to their many Clásico clashes while in charge of Real Madrid and Barça.Now for a new chapter, with both a handful of games into their tenures at Manchester's two powerhouses. UEFA.com looks back to when they were in rival dugouts.Head-to-head record in SpainGuardiola: 5Draws: 4Mourinho: 2Overall recordGuardiola:UEFA.com - News
Guardiola applauds Bayern’s Vidal and Ribéry
Josep Guardiola, Bayern coachIt was a hard game but I am happy with our performance. I know very well the quality that Benfica have. A big compliment to my team.Ribéry was extraordinary today. Vidal is very important too – he is a great character, he has shown this during the last month.In the quarter-finals the more important game is always the second leg, which we will play in Lisbon. It all depends on how we play in Lisbon. We could have lost this game. I have watched a lot of Benfica matches in recent days – they are really strong, they always try to get the second ball.
Bayern boss Guardiola gives Juventus credit
Josep Guardiola gives Juventus maximum credit for their resilienceBayern defeated once in last 15 games; Juve have lost one in 19Juve without Paulo Dybala, Giorgio Chiellini and Claudio MarchisioBianconeri fought back from two goals down to draw first leg 2-2Juventus press conference scheduled for 18.00CETPossible lineupsBayern: Neuer; Lahm, Kimmich, Alaba, Bernat; Vidal, Alonso; Robben, Müller, Costa; Lewandowski.Out: Boateng (adductors), Badstuber (ankle)Doubtful...
Guardiola wary of dark horses City
Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola believes that Champions League opponents Manchester City can be the surprise package of the competition in the manner that Borussia Dortmund were last season. Dortmund exceeded expectations by casting off a long spell of disappointments in Europe and reached the all-Bundesliga final, where they were beaten by Bayern at Wembley Stadium. Bayern and City will fight it out for top spot in Group D at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, having both won their opening pool fixtures. Bayern were 3-0 winners over CSKA Moscow at the Allianz Arena and
Guardiola rejects Yaya Toure snub claim
Barcelona coach Pepe Guardiola has denied that he froze Yaya Toure out of the club, insisting that the midfielder asked for a transfer and that the Catalans "tried to convince him to stay". PA PhotosYaya Toure played under Pepe Guardiola for two years at Barcelona • Jolly: Toure looking to make history Toure, 28, left Camp Nou in July 2010 for big-spending Manchester City in a dealt worth around £24 million and enjoyed a fine first season, winning the FA Cup and helping Roberto Mancini's side qualify for the Champions League for the first time. The Ivory Coast international has since claimed he was forced out of Barca and this week reiterated that stance, insisting Guardiola "ignored" him and that he "did not want to
Barca’s Guardiola not shocked by Guadalajara
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says he was not surprised by the level of performance shown by Mexican side Guadalajara, who overcame the European champions 4-1 in front of 70,080 fans at Sun Life Stadium on Wednesday night in Miami.GettyImagesJose Luis Verduzco celebrates with his team-matesMarco Fabian was the hero for the Goats, scoring two goals in as many minutes midway through the second-half to set up the historic victory in the World Football Challenge. Giovani Casillas and Jose Luis Verduzco also put their names on the scoresheet in the second stanza as Chivas thrashed Barca."I am not surprised by Chivas' performance," Guardiola said. "Mexican football is very dynamic and entertaining."Barcelona did manage to take the lead early on through David