‘I’ve been massacred’ – Guardiola hits back at online criticism of him | OneFootball

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has hit back at online criticism for his team selection following his side’s 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid.

City are now facing elimination at the last 16 stage of the Champions League, unless they can pull of an unlikely comeback next Tuesday night.

“This is not the first time I’ve been hurt,” said Guardiola. “I lost many times in the Champions League, many, many, many times, and have been massacred for decisions and what happened. So it’s not the first time.

“But at the same time, until the last day, I can argue my decision with the team selection.”

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The Catalan continued: “I can explain to you. Of course, there is the argument. I said to you after the press conference in Madrid, when you asked me about that, there is a logical reason for that. The momentum of the players and many things.

“Listen, I played a Champions League final without Fernandinho, Rodri or any holding midfielder against Chelsea. Do you think it’s normal, that? No, honestly.

“Do you think it’s normal? I was destroyed in that moment. They were right.

“Now, my argument is justified for the team selection. It’s because I lost. I lose the game. We lose the game.

“If we win, it’s genius. How many times have I heard Pep is a genius for the team selection?

“It happens. It’s football. But my players are extraordinary. And they were extraordinary in many things. You can say whatever you want.”

Evidently riled up, City’s boss added: “What happened in Newcastle? Did you read the comments before the game about my team selection on social media? Did you read it? Yeah, you read it. What are you doing, Pep, in the FA Cup? What a lack of respect for that competition.

“How can people say that? We arrived how many times in the final, semi-final of the FA Cup in the last four or five years? No team in England in the last 10, 15, 20 years has been more times in the semi-finals. What a lack of respect.

“How they don’t play Rodri? How they don’t play Bernardo? How they don’t play this player? How they don’t play the other one? How they leave Erling at home? 1-3.

“You see the performance from Newcastle against Barcelona, right? You see? It’s difficult. And after that, oh, Pep, how brilliant.

“I will not convince you one second, any one of you. Anyone. Why? Because we lost. And that’s all. And it’s right. 3-0. Destroyed.

“It’s normal. It’s not personal. Believe me. It’s all the managers. It’s not the first time I play in that competition, Champions League. 17 years playing that competition. And every time I lose, oh my God.”

Later asked about his presence on social media, Guardiola admitted: “Listen, I want to be honest with you. I didn’t read the social media, but I’m pretty sure the reaction to the selection was that. This is my feeling.

“But I didn’t read it, because I don’t have it. I don’t have Instagram, I don’t have TikTok and this kind of stuff. But I’m pretty sure.

“It’s hard to take a decision. It hurts all the time. The players don’t play, but take it for that. And when they are fit, I like to have everybody involved. Always have been like that, always.”

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