Pep Guardiola has explained that it is difficult to tone down his actions on the touchline when taking part in massive matches like Manchester City against Liverpool.
The 51-year-old was an active figure on the bench during City’s loss to the Reds at Anfield in October, while Jurgen Klopp was sent off during the final moments of the game after confronting the linesman over failing to catch a clear foul. about Mo Salah. .
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach explained that emotion is something that makes the game what it is, as long as there is respect for the referees.
“People cannot behave as if they were a marble, like ice, when a goal is disallowed in this type of match against the biggest rivals,” explained the Spaniard (via RTE).
“We will always react that way, but the respect for the referees, the rules and the opponent is always there from my point of view and my teams, absolutely.
“Reactions happen, that’s why the referees are there, to react and do what they think is right.”
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Guardiola, who claimed he was the target of objects thrown by Reds fans at Anfield earlier this season, joked that his “dream” is to be sent off against the FA Cup champions.
“They did not expel me. That is in my dream against Liverpool, sooner or later it will happen ”, he added.
“No, of course we want to behave well, come on, the players, the coaches, the spectators, but sometimes emotions and many things happen.”
Liverpool and City issued a joint statement to their supporters ahead of tonight’s clash to warn fans of their behavior both on and off the pitch, something the Spanish strategist also commented on.
“The clubs try to create a good atmosphere, it’s a football match. Try to create the emotions that we are seeing in the World Cup, in Argentina right now on the streets,” he said.
“You see that, it’s amazing, we want to try it. Everything we can build step by step with the clubs, the press conferences with the coaches, players, etc.
“It’s just a game, let’s make people happy, that’s what we try to do.”
Let’s hope our post-game discussions are about the action on the pitch, rather than anything that happens off it.
It looks like we’re in for an intriguing matchup with both teams returning to domestic action for the first time since the World Cup.
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