Guardiola does not regret the decision to bench Vinícius for Jovanović
The first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff round took place in Madrid, where Manchester City suffered a 3-0 defeat against Real Madrid. Zamin.uz reported on this match.
The 0-3 final score caused a major stir in the football world. Many experts and fans criticized head coach Josep Guardiola's decisions regarding team selection.
Particularly scrutinized was the decision to deploy defender Abduqodir Husanov against forward Vinicius Junior. However, the Spanish coach stated that he does not regret his decision and emphasized that the team performed well on the pitch.
In an interview, Guardiola openly expressed his views. He stated that they strive to make the right decisions in every match, which applies not only to the Champions League but also to other competitions.
Considering it is impossible to field the same lineup every three days, the coach views rotation as a necessity. He admitted that while the team played well in the first half, they conceded goals due to emotional lapses.
The penalty awarded in the second half also significantly impacted the result. The coach noted that criticism does not surprise him, as he has faced similar situations in the past.
The return match will take place next week, on March 17, in England, with Manchester City hosting. Guardiola expresses confidence that his players will fully demonstrate their strength and resolve the situation in their favor this time.
The team is currently recovering from the defeat and preparing to return to the pitch with renewed energy. All attention is now focused on the second leg, with fans and experts having high hopes for the team's performance.
Source: One.uz
