Chapter 194: Guardiola's Rare Fury!
Although they won the match, after the game, several media outlets harshly criticized Manchester City.
Setting aside tabloids like The Sun, even major newspapers like The Mirror, The Independent, The Guardian, and The Times criticized Manchester City's performance in this match.
Miguel Delaney, a columnist for The Independent, wrote:
"Pellegrini's team shouldn't sacrifice the league for the Champions League. Their lead in the league table isn't significant; Arsenal has won five games in a row and is just one game behind."
"We can't be too harsh on the players on the field, after all, they are just substitutes. But Pellegrini clearly made a mistake in the lineup; he shouldn't have left Aguero and Lin Quan on the bench. At least one of them should have started."
"Without Lin Quan and David Silva, Manchester City played like a headless chicken. Toure tried to take control of the game, but his clumsy performances nearly led the team to disaster."
"Pellegrini should decide whether Toure plays as an attacking midfielder or strictly limit his area of action. Not everyone can be as free as Lin Quan. Too much freedom for players can disrupt the entire team's tactical system. Aston Villa's two counterattack goals are related to Toure."
After criticizing Manchester City, Miguel praised Aston Villa:
"Although Aston Villa has had a poor performance this season with two wins and four losses in six games, ranking fifth from the bottom in the Premier League, their performance has been impressive considering they have faced four big teams, even winning one of them."
"The strongest teams in the Premier League have struggled against Aston Villa. If it were just occasional, it could be considered a coincidence, but every match has been this close, which is no coincidence."
"Perhaps the mid-table teams should study how Aston Villa faces the big teams. Maybe then they'll have a chance when facing the stronger teams."
Many of the other leagues had already noticed Aston Villa's remarkable performance. Before, due to the difference in strength, many small and medium-sized teams easily surrendered to the big teams. But now, seeing Aston Villa's example, they had started to think differently:
"If Aston Villa can trouble the big teams, why can't we?"
There was nothing in Aston Villa's lineup or playing style that was impossible to replicate. So the mid-table teams started to imitate Aston Villa's playing style, ready to face the big teams with this new tactic.
This trend began to worry the big teams. Arsenal coach Arsène Wenger was the first to speak:
"The Premier League shouldn't tolerate fouls, especially serious ones against players."
"Violent fouls not only diminish the appeal of the matches but can also affect the overall score of the Premier League in European competitions, which is not beneficial for any team."
Wenger hoped his warning would make the league and the small teams reconsider their approach, but most of the small teams ignored him:
"We know Wenger is a famous coach, but we don't need him to tell us how to play. We can decide for ourselves."
The reason was simple. Big teams didn't worry about relegation, but for the mid-table teams, relegation was a real threat. The difference in income between the Premier League and the Championship could be millions or even tens of millions of pounds per year, an astronomical amount for small teams.
So these teams fought with all their might to stay in the Premier League. The fight to avoid relegation made the matches of the mid-table teams very difficult.
Although other coaches of big teams also made similar calls, they had little effect. The FA and the Premier League didn't take any public stance, as a high level of competitiveness is what makes the Premier League attractive. Without intense physical competition, the league would lose one of its most distinctive features, which could negatively affect its income from international broadcasts.
After the match against Aston Villa, Manchester City returned to Manchester by bus. They didn't have time to worry about external criticism as they prepared for the most important match of the Champions League group stage: a home showdown against Bayern Munich.
On October 1st, Bayern Munich, led by Pep Guardiola, arrived in Manchester two days before the match. They settled at Manchester United's Carrington training ground. Guardiola didn't hold closed-door training sessions, opting for normal routines.
However, Manchester City didn't let their guard down and sent multiple scouts to monitor every move of Bayern. This match was crucial for Manchester City, which had invested large sums of money in new players this season. If they failed to advance in the group stage, not only would they have wasted money, but the entire team would become an object of ridicule in the football world.
Although officially Bayern Munich seemed to be their main threat, CSKA Moscow also had a strong team, especially in their stadium with winter conditions. The distance of over 2,500 kilometers from Manchester to Moscow, combined with the challenges of weather and other external factors, meant that even Bayern didn't have a guarantee of winning in Moscow.
So, to secure qualification, Manchester City needed to win four matches. They now only have 3 points, and although they are confident of beating Viktoria Plzeň at home, they still need 6 more points.
The match against Bayern could not only secure their qualification but also put the destiny of their group in their own hands.
They could even finish as group winners.
If they achieve first place, they will avoid strong teams from other groups in the knockout stage, significantly increasing their chances of reaching the quarter-finals.
For Bayern, the situation is similar.
Manchester City is their biggest competitor in the group, and Bayern can't afford to lose.
Compared to Manchester City's schedule, Bayern's schedule is even more challenging.
They will have to play away in late November in freezing Moscow.
The odds of winning there are even lower than those of Manchester City.
However, unlike Manchester City's caution, Bayern is very confident in this match.
They have already won the Champions League before and, as defending champions, they have enough confidence to face any team.
If they could eliminate Barcelona, how could they not be able to beat Manchester City?
Although Guardiola doesn't want to put too much pressure on his players, seeing the arrogance with which they underestimate the opponent worries him.
"Stop!"
He interrupted the training and called the players.
The players, not understanding, obeyed and approached the sideline, surrounding Guardiola.
However, Robben and Ribery, whispering to each other, stayed outside, showing little interest in what Guardiola had to say.
They were visibly annoyed by the interruption of their training.
If Guardiola were not a champion coach, they would likely have completely ignored him.
Guardiola noticed this but said nothing.
He has been at Bayern for a short time and has not yet achieved anything significant.
These players have been at Bayern for years, winning league titles and even the Champions League.
Technically, they are the veterans, and he is just a newcomer.
Young players may respect a champion coach, but veterans not necessarily.
Star players often have difficult temperaments, and to earn their respect, Guardiola must prove his worth on the field.
Guardiola understands this, so he attaches so much importance to this match.
It's his first major challenge since arriving at Bayern.
If they can beat Manchester City, although he won't immediately gain the complete confidence of his players, at least he will avoid a crisis of confidence.
But if they lose against Manchester City, he could face problems similar to those of Moyes at Manchester United.
"I know many of you underestimate Manchester City, think they can't be our rivals."
The Bayern players, although they said nothing, showed on their faces that they thought exactly that.
"But I want to tell you that our chances of winning at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow are less than 30%."
The players widened their eyes, surprised, looking at Guardiola as if they thought: Is he crazy?
Is he serious?
Bayern with less than a 30% chance of winning against Manchester City?
Impossible!
We are Champions League champions, while they have never progressed beyond the group stage, and two months ago in the Audi Cup, we defeated them.
How could that team beat the mighty Bayern?
The Bayern players didn't believe it, even if these words came from Guardiola, they remained skeptical.
"Heh, heh, I know you don't believe what I'm saying, so I'll ask you some questions."
Guardiola had already anticipated his players' reaction. The Bayern players are very proud.
They can't admit that they can't beat Manchester City.
It's the pride of being champions.
"Kroos, do you think Manchester City is stronger than last season's Werder Bremen?"
Kroos, after a brief moment of surprise, responded seriously: "Manchester City is stronger than Werder Bremen."
Guardiola, satisfied with the answer, asked Mandzukic: "Mandzukic, which of the two teams is stronger?"
Mandzukic replied gravely: "Manchester City is stronger."
Guardiola nodded and turned to the third player: "Muller, what do you think?"
"Manchester City is stronger."
Guardiola continued asking several more players, and almost all agreed that Manchester City was stronger.
This is undeniable; Werder Bremen's modest lineup cannot be compared to Manchester City's expensive lineup.
"Since everyone thinks Manchester City is stronger than last season's Werder Bremen, can you be 100% sure of beating last season's Werder Bremen?"
Most of the players had already understood Guardiola's point, so they did not respond, except Boateng, who answered sincerely: "No, we can't."
"Why not?"
"Because they have Lin."
Remembering how Lin humiliated him last season, Boateng still felt a psychological trauma.
The image of him being dribbled by Lin became a widely circulated gif on the internet, becoming his worst nightmare.
That's why Boateng was the one who most recognized Lin's skills in the whole team.
"Heh, heh, Lin is now at Manchester City, shouldn't that be a greater reason for you to be alert?"
"If facing the weaker Werder Bremen was already difficult, then why do you think you can beat an improved Manchester City, just because you are Champions League champions?"
Guardiola became serious:
"I have also won the Champions League, both as a player and as a coach."
"So, as someone who has been through that, I tell you that being Champions League champions is both an honor and a curse."
"Since the Champions League changed its format, no team has managed to defend its title."
"If you think that, as defending champions, you can underestimate all your rivals, then I assure you we won't go far this season."
(End of chapter)
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