Pep Guardiola, the historic: account settled against Simeone and dominance against Real Madrid

“When ‘Cholo’ Simeone was in Argentina, before going to Atlético de Madrid, he came to see us for a few days [a Barcelona]. And I loved it! We talked and he told me: I don’t like this, I’m not sorry ”. Guardiola was recorded that talk with the Argentine. That first approach as technicians – they had already crossed paths as contemporary footballers – made clear their positions regarding how they see football: opposite extremes, separated by more than ten thousand kilometers that separate Sampedor and Buenos Aires, the cities that saw them born . Pep likes to have and take care of the ball; to Diego Pablo, snatch him. That clash of styles was seen in the quarterfinals of the Champions League in which Manchester City beat Atlético and qualified for the semifinals.

In his hundredth game in the Champions League, . They did it with a goalless draw (1-0 in the first leg qualified them) without playing well, perhaps conditioned by the fatigue of having played a match of maximum intensity against Liverpool last Sunday for the Premier. But the truth is that he was one of the least lucid City of the Pep Guardiola era, so much so that they went from averaging 19 shots per game to shooting only ten times. “If you take off his shirt, he wouldn’t know it’s City”Diego LaTorre said in full ESPN broadcast with good reason.

But beyond the long process, the English team smiles and Guardiola settled an account with Simeone. It happens that the only time they had met in the knockout phase was in the semifinals of 2015-16. That time, Atlético de Madrid won 1-0 in the first leg against Bayern Munich and lost 2-1 in the second leg, although they got into the definition due to the away goal, a rule that does not exist today.

“In prehistory, today and in 100,000 years, attacking a 5-5 is very difficult. There is no space”Pep had said after winning the first leg a week ago. “I have been a coach since 2005 and I have never been contemptuous of a colleague”, answered the ‘Cholo’ before the return. The key was played at the Etihad Stadium, at the Wanda Metropolitano and in the press rooms.

Pep, historical classification and a semifinal against an old acquaintance

Accustomed to dominating, Manchester City survived at the Wanda Metropolitano. But he showed that little by little he is gaining ground in Europe passing keys with hierarchy and wisdom.

The Spaniard reached four semis with Barcelona, ​​three with Bayern and now two with City. The debt to be paid is to raise the ‘Orejona’ after having left Barza. With the ‘Citizens’ they were about to achieve it last season but lost to Chelsea.

Fate has once again put Guardiola and the real Madrid facing. He has already measured forces against them on 19 occasions, with Barza, Bayern and Manchester City. The balance is very favorable for the coach: 11 wins, four losses and four draws. In Champions there were three crosses: two wins and one fall. In fact, that 2011 semifinal in which Lionel Messi shone is still remembered.