Pep Guardiola explains why he had an angry exchange with Man City stars Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez before going on to win 6-3.
He was spotted surprisingly screaming in their faces at the Etihad Stadium, going on to then claim a victory against RB Leipzig on Wednesday night.
Among the goalscorers were Grealish, on the first European game of his career, and Mahrez from the penalty spot, but still got ripped into by their manager.
Jack Grealish: ⚽️🅰️
Riyad Mahrez: ⚽️It doesn’t matter how well you’re playing, if you don’t do your defensive duties Pep Guardiola will tell you all about it 😤#UCL pic.twitter.com/f9ZQFxaq4w
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 15, 2021
Guardiola was less than pleased with the pair at half-time as the players descended on their way down to the tunnel to their dressing rooms.
The Catalan coach could be seen shouting in their faces and he has gone some way to explain his antics.
Guardiola admitted he was less than pleased with their defensive efforts, telling BT Sport: “We spoke in half-time about the way we have to do it and they didn’t do it. Fights happen.
“They are so good, they make four players in the build up to attract you behind the holding midfielders where there aren’t a lot of players, where the ball goes outside and they are so fast when they attack in behind.
“It’s not easy to control it but when you regain that ball there are many players in front of the ball and in the transition to make one or two passes in behind you have a chance to attack.”
Man City quickly went into a 3-1 lead by the half-way point, but Christopher Nkunku’s hat-trick changed the scoreline to 4-3 to the home side, giving Guardiola something to think about.
However an absolute rocket from Joao Cancelo and a tap-in from Gabriel Jesus put the result to bed whereas early in the second-half, Grealish scored his first Champions League goal when he cut in from the left-flank before dispatching an expert finish.
“I loved it,” said the England international. “I’ve been waiting a while. The past few weeks, I couldn’t wait for this game, it’s been a great night.
“For my goal, the ball came to me and when I’m in that position, running into the area, I’d back myself one on one against anyone to have a go and it paid off.
“I’m delighted to come away with my goal and an assist. As soon as the game kicked off, I said to myself in my head ‘I’m actually playing in the Champions League’.
“Just with the music and everything, it was so nice and the goal topped it all off.”
Grealish was also asked about the argument he had with Guardiola but he did not want to delve too much into the incident.
He said: “That was just defensive work, I won’t go too much into it because he might want the same tactics at the weekend.
“That’s what the manager is like, he’s always wanting more defensively and offensively, and he’s obviously someone that I’m going to listen to after everything he’s done in the game. He’s just giving out useful information.”
Player ratings
Man City: Ederson (6), Cancelo (8), Dias (6), Aké (6), Zinchenko (6), Rodri (6), Bernardo (7), De Bruyne (8), Mahrez (7), Torres (7), Grealish (8)
Subs: Gundogan (6), Jesus (7), Foden (6)
RB Leipzig: Gulácsi (5), Mukiele (6), Klostermann (5), Orban (5), Angeliño (5), Laimer (7), Adams (6), Nkunku (8), Olmo (7), Forsberg (7), Silva (7)
Subs: Haidara (6), Poulsen (7), Szoboszlai (7), Brobbley (6)
Man of the match: Joao Cancelo
Pep Guardiola said: “I’m delighted and happy and thankful for these incredible players. It was a real tough game.
“Leipzig play like all or nothing. They are able to create chances and they attack you so much. You cannot defend spaces inside. It is so difficult and they did well.
“But the first game at home is so important to win. We scored a lot of goals and in the last three games we have scored 16.
“For the fans that is nice to give them. Now we rest and think of Southampton.”
Fans reacted as Pep Guardiola explains why he had an angry exchange with Man City stars Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez…
@N58578253: He saw the cameras watching him and decided to do his usual acting routine 😂
@britmick: has anyone ever seen him do this when they are losing?
@ned_hays: Oooh look at me, I’m so ruthless I only go mental when we are already winning. Guy likes to manipulate his own press.
@deanburns78: Calm down mate 😂
@MichuBacca: Considering how manic Pep is, doesn’t surprise me that his pupils look so dilated in the bottom half screen.
@MrPaulBanjo: Pep is a great Manager, ole could never
@adam08cullen: Without doubt one of the best managers in the world, but I’m convinced all this lark after a players just scored or they’ve thumped a team is all for the cameras
@manicbabyyy: My problem is he doesn’t do this when he’s actually losing.
@RandyscrandyL: Won 6-3 and still berating players. Meanwhile I recall OGS clapping for Fred when he missed a right footed shot last season. The levels. 💀
@xCitizenG: Wtf was wrong with pep tonight? Guy seemed ready to burst an artery
@onlyfarouk12: All for the cameras
@kypreen: Weird behaviour don’t care what anyone says
@JamieMcEvoy: Love to see it. Pep and his hand gestures are going to mould Grealish into an obscene footballer. Disgusting, even.
@Antzharris10: He was a right moody fucker tonight, Pep!
@LFC7610: Quick, the camera is on you pep, do it now
@Philm2tic: The way he’s talking to Mahrez… Fuck right off lol
@RoxyD27: Nice to play up to the camera once in a while. Funny how he only does this when Oil City are winning and sit’s on the bench when they’re losing. Just saying!
Pep Guardiola was caught on camera in an animated conversation with Jack Grealish last night. pic.twitter.com/BsfFQn7uoT
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) September 16, 2021
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