This Saturday in England, there was a clash between Manchester City and Newcastle. After getting back on track this season, Pep Guardiola’s team needed to string together victories to put pressure on Arsenal, who seem well on their way to being alone at the top of the Premier League standings this season. With a 4-point lead at kick-off, the Gunners were undoubtedly watching this meeting between the Cityzens and the Magpies with great attention. Just like the Marseillais, future opponents of Newcastle in the Champions League.
On the pitch, this meeting between the two teams kept all its promises with great intensity. And everything ignited upon returning from the locker room after Harvey Barnes opened the score. The Englishman even scored a double in this match which allowed his team to take three points (2-1). Ruben Dias’ equalizer did not change anything for City who conceded another defeat. And this time, if Pep Guardiola is used to being rather calm after meetings, he completely broke down. Enough to even shock the English press.
Pep Guardiola loses his cool
“Pep Guardiola loses his cool. He attacks Bruno Guimaraes, the referees and even a cameraman.titled the Daily Mail this Sunday morning. Just after the final whistle, the Spanish coach actually rushed towards Bruno Guimaraes and had a tense explanation with the Brazilian. He then went to see the referees and even ended with a virulent exchange with a cameraman present on the pitch. The Spanish technician seemed exasperated by the refereeing decisions of the day. In question: a forgotten penalty in the first half following a violent tackle by Fabian Schär on Phil Foden and a potential foul on Donnarumma on the second goal.
Very upset at the press conference, Pep Guardiola was not very talkative when he was questioned about his great anger. “What I said to Guimaraes? Nothing. I told him how good he is but this conversation is private. Everything is fine. I talked to him about the situation with Gigio and what happened, as well as about previous situations”he said coldly before kicking in once again on his exchanges with the referees. “Nothing, everything is fine. VAR and referees decided there was no foul in the first and second half. That’s how it is. We’re used to it. The last five questions concern the referees and their actions. Ask the referees for them. I haven’t seen the images yet and nothing will change now.”. Finally, for the cameraman, Pep Guardiola gave no explanation but his attitude was obviously singled out by the English press. THE Mirror speaks of a “heated confrontation” while the Telegraph describes a Guardiola who attacked “a poor cameraman”. The Spanish coach will have to straighten out his team and better manage his emotions if he does not want to relive a bad series like last season.
