New documentary on City’s treble glory
Football: Pep Guardiola has admitted he needed to learn to control his emotions more effectively before guiding Manchester City to the treble last season.
A new club-produced documentary which will screen on Netflix from today goes behind the scenes of City's historic season, and shows the message Guardiola gave to his players at halftime during the Champions League final in Istanbul, when the match against Inter Milan was still goalless.
Guardiola is seen trying to settle the nerves of his players, reassuring them they can improve in the second half, before they went on to win 1-0 through Rodri's goal.
"You're exceptional players, playing the Champions League final," Guardiola tells them. "What you feel is normal, yes. But we don't give up. Go, go, go. That's why we are here. We adjust one or two things and we'll be much more effective. Calm, guys, calm. Keep going."
Speaking in an interview filmed for the documentary, which is called 'Together: Treble Winners', Guardiola contrasted that message with the half-time team talk he gave his side during the 2021 Champions League final against Chelsea. They had just fallen behind to Kai Havertz's 42nd-minute goal andwentontolose1-0.
"Of course emotion is so important in the final," Guardiola said. "I remember the final against Chelsea at half-time I was more aggressive with some players and it didn't work...
"In the finals, there is not one player who doesn't want to win it and do it well. And when that moment came by, OK guys, we have 45 minutes, maybe extra time, stick with what we have. I have to adjust something. Come on, let's go.
"I control my emotions much better than when I was younger as a manager."
The documentary also includes Kyle Walker's now famous speech in the dressing room before kickoff. He had been left out of Guardiola's starting line-up for the match, and implored those playing to deliver for those on the sidelines.