Jamie Carragher told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (29/05/21 at 10:00 pm) that he ‘cannot believe’ Pep Guardiola didn’t play either Rodri or Fernandinho during Manchester City’s Champions League final defeat on Saturday.
Before a ball was kicked in Porto, Guardiola’s team selection caused a bit of a stir, with the Man City boss opting against play an outright defensive midfielder against Chelsea.
It caused a bit of a debate as to whether Guardiola was trying to overthink the situation, as his Man City side ended up losing their first Champions League final.
After the game, Carragher thinks the right team walked away with the Champions League trophy, but he thinks Guardiola made the same mistake as Ole Gunnar Solskjær during Manchester United’s Europa League final defeat in midweek.
“The best team won,” said Carragher. “But I have to look at Pep Guardiola again. I love him. I think he’s the best manager in the world. I do believe that.
“But Chelsea beating them twice, before this game, I think it’s got into his head and he made the same mistake Manchester United made on Wednesday, where you put all your attacking players on the pitch, and if it’s not working, then it’s very difficult to change it.
“Why you wouldn’t pick a team without Fernandinho or Rodri, that he hasn’t done all season, in a Champions League final, I cannot believe.
“I have to say it. He has overthought it. Pick your best team. You are better than Chelsea and trust your players.”
Man City won Premier Leagues, FA Cups and League Cups before Guardiola walked through the doors of the Etihad.
And whilst he has won all those trophies again, and that with some serious style, the one everyone craves the most is the European Cup.
It’s the one trophy that is eluding those on the blue half of Manchester and it will be interesting to see how they react in the transfer market when the window re-opens this summer.
It’s obvious that a striker is needed and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Man City properly put their foot on the pedal and break their club record to get their dream number nine through the doors.
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