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Pep Guardiola laughed off suggestions he overthinks in European knockout games by claiming Manchester City will line up with 12 players against Atletico Madrid.
City are on the hunt for a first Champions League title after losing last season’s final against Chelsea, for which Guardiola went without the club’s preferred holding midfielders.
The Catalan also chose to play three at the back in a quarter-final defeat by Lyon in 2020 and addressed his critics ahead of meeting Diego Simeone at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola has sarcastically hit out at those who suggest he ‘overthinks’ before key games in Europe
Guardiola joked he ‘loves to overthink’ and that he would start 12 players against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday
‘In the Champions League, always I overthink. I overthink a lot. Absolutely,’ Guardiola said. ‘That’s why I’ve had good results. I love to overthink and create stupid tactics. Tonight I take inspiration and there will be incredible tactics tomorrow. We’ll play with 12.’
Guardiola has cut a relaxed figure since returning from the international break, with City still fighting on three fronts. He rejected the notion that Atletico will arrive in Manchester happy to defend throughout the first leg.
‘Watching Atletico, there is a misconception about the way he [Simeone] played,’ Guardiola added. ‘He is more offensive than the people believe. They don’t want to take risks but when the ball is in our half… they know exactly the way they have to play in specific moments.
Guardiola has been questioned for ‘overthinking’ in key European games such as the Champions League defeat to Chelsea last year
Guardiola was questioned over his choice not to start Rodri (above) or Fernandinho last season in the final
‘I’m not going to talk one second about stupid debates. Everyone tries to win. If they win he will be right. If we win, I will be right.
‘Don’t give any space. Don’t give an inch. As a team they want to avoid risk in central areas. They are incredibly aggressive. When they win the ball they play. They are the champions of the Spanish league. The Spanish league. Over the last 20 years, this league is the champion [in Europe].’
Bernardo Silva believes City are better equipped to routinely navigate their way through to the showpiece after learning from past mistakes in tight knockout matches.
‘The team I see today is well prepared for these moments,’ he said. ‘We were a great team back in the day but the team is much better prepared know than five years ago.
‘Definitely an improvement and it comes with experience. We’ve had our disappointments. We know each other better. We know everything we have to do in every phase of the game. We know what to do when we concede.’
Guardiola said there is a ‘misconception’ over Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone’s style of play
Source: DailyMail Sports
