Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16 HUGE CONSEQUENCES SMALL DETAILS Pep knows these massive games are often decided on the finest margins
WHEN it comes to the big games in the Champions League, it is the “small matters” that prove decisive for Pep Guardiola.
He has been on the receiving end of such fine margins – despite having already won the tournament twice as a manager with Barcelona.
Three times his teams have exited on away goals, including last season when a disallowed Raheem Sterling strike saw Manchester City beaten by Spurs in the quarter-finals.
Fernando Llorente’s decisive goal for Tottenham that night was controversial, VAR allowing it amid claims of handball. So Guardiola knows the best-laid plans can count for nothing set against the vagaries of such fine margins. That could be the case tomorrow when the Champions League resumes with the biggest match of this last-16 stage – City against Real Madrid, at the Etihad.
The Blues lead 2-1 from the first leg, but their opponents share the view that the tie is just too close to call.
“These are the best games in the Champions League,” said Real defender Raphael Varane.
“The ones that are decided by very little. They are why we love this competition. The first leg was a top-quality game, with pressing from both teams.
“It was decided by the small details. What we have to do is carry this experience with us and know the small details make the difference.”
At the Bernabeu, Guardiola (right) produced one of his now customary eyebrowraising selection calls for big matches – Gabriel Jesus on the left, Bernardo Silva through the middle, with
Kevin De
Bruyne in a more advanced role.
Guardiola is likely to go with a similar line-up, as City look to advance to the last eight.
While his brave line-up was vindicated in Madrid, rival boss Zinedine Zidane’s backfired, particularly the decision to omit Toni Kroos. Zidane won’t make that mistake again tomorrow, with Kroos set to be restored, alongside Casemiro and Luka Modric in midfield.
Up front, Zidane intends to go with an attacking trio of Marco Asensio, Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard. City will look to take full advantage of the absence of Real skipper Sergio Ramos, suspended following his late red card in the first leg. Since football resumed, Real have fared better and clinched La Liga. But Guardiola will hope the small details finally go the Blues’ way in their bid for a first Champions League trophy.