Eliminated prematurely by Paris Saint-Germain at the Champions League dam in January, Pep Guardiola could not live European spring. And yet, Manchester City coach has not missed anything from the show. Present at a press conference this week, the Spanish technician wanted to salute the quality ” amazing “ Semi-finals disputed Tuesday and Wednesday. A compliment supported, but behind this admiration, difficult not to read a touch of bitterness there.
Guardiola did not praise the performance of Barça against Inter (3-3) and PSG against Arsenal (1-0). “Thanks to these kinds of matches, the stadiums will never be empty, our industry will continue to grow”, he launched. For him, the quality of the game offered was
” spectacular “, with a special mention for the match between Barcelona and Inter, which he describes as “One of the most beautiful in the season”. And Paris in all of this? No explicit word … but a heavy presence, that of the team that deprived City of this thrill.
Ejected by PSG, Guardiola remains stuck in front of the semi-final
Guardiola fascinated by Barça and Paris … But he has left!
While praising the merits of offensive football, the madness of the big meetings, Guardiola seems to slide, in hollow, a painful confession: he would have liked to be there. Especially since Manchester City, since its release, has been a spectator of a Champions League where PSG and Barcelona shine under the spotlight. And Pep, craftsman of attractive football, sees others today carrying this torch. Far from his bench, he contemplates a spectacle from which he was ejected prematurely.
Ennsating the semi-finals, Guardiola is not content to congratulate: in his own way he expresses his lack. Because basically, this edition could have (should have?) To be his. Instead, PSG – the executioner – traces its route to Wembley. What if Spanish speaks of ” pride “ For the beautiful game, his silence in Paris seems to betray an embarrassment. A silent admission: this Champions League, he would have shared it well.
