Tinker man Manager’s history of bad calls with Bayern and City in crucial Champions League ties
2013-14
Bayern Munich 0 Real Madrid 5 (semi-final).
Just 1-0 down from the first leg, Pep Guardiola admitted it was one of his greatest mistakes to listen to the players ahead of the return match as he switched to a more open, attacking approach. “Pep’s idea would have been a more wait-and-see tactic, but essential players wanted to act more urgently,” his assistant, Domenec Torrent, said later.
2014-15
Bayern Munich 3 Barcelona 5 (semi-final). Guardiola made two big errors – albeit he was facing the then best attack in world football. He opted for a back three to try to go man-forman with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar. He tried to play a high line, but his team were too vulnerable.
2015-16
Bayern Munich 2 Atletico Madrid 2 (semi-final, lost on away goals). There was an immediate inquest after the first leg, which was lost 1-0, with Thomas Muller surprisingly left out. Bayern struggled to cope with Atletico’s pressing and Muller later said Guardiola “overthinks” the big games.
2017-18
Manchester City 1 Liverpool 5 (quarter-final). Guardiola left out an in-form Raheem Sterling for the first leg at Anfield to
accommodate another midfielder. Perhaps he was trying to negate the threat of Andy Robertson, but City were blown away in the first half.
2018-19
Manchester City 4 Tottenham 4 (quarter-final, lost on away goals). City lost the first leg 1-0, with Guardiola omitting Kevin De Bruyne and Vincent Kompany. He had recalled Fabian Delph for only his third start in four months and, playing at left-back, he was to blame for the only goal. Jason Burt