PEP GUARDIOLA became the king of the Champions League knockout stages thanks to Manchester City’s win over Real Madrid.
The victory was his 28th in the latter rounds of the competition, meaning he is the most successful manager in them.
Pep Guardiola moved in front of Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti on 28 Champions League knockout wins
Going into the game, he was tied on 27 with Sir Alex Ferguson, Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho squandered the chance to take the lead when his Spurs side lost 1-0 at home to RB Leipzig last week.
With Ferguson retired and Ancelotti’s Everton not in the tournament, Guardiola took full advantage to take the lead.
Sir Alex still boasts the most matches managed in the Champions League (190) and most wins (114) in the history of the European Cup and Champions League.
Ancelotti, meanwhile, is level with Bob Paisley and Zinedine Zidane with three winner’s medals, while Guardiola remains the youngest coach to lift ‘Old Big Ears’ at 38 years and 129 days in 2009.
Pep – who won the tournament for a second time with Barca in 2011 – also became the most successful manager against Real Madrid in the 21st century.
Wednesday’s win was his tenth win over Real in all competitions, moving his ahead of Ernesto Valverde and Diego Simeone.
Guardiola joined Ottmar Hitzfeld as only the second manager to win two Champions League away games at Real Madrid and the first to do so with two different clubs.
And it took the Spaniard’s tally to a total of six away wins at the Bernabeu, the most of any away manager.
The Manchester City boss produced a tactical shock in the first half with Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva operating as the two false No9s with Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus out wide.
As the average positions show, captain De Bruyne operated as the most advanced attacking player with Silva in front of Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri.
Jesus was at times operating almost as a left wing-back to support Benjamin Mendy but proved a real threat in attack.
Almost half of City’s attacks came down their left and when Raheem Sterling came on, Jesus moved central and headed in the all-important equaliser and away goal after Isco put the hosts in front.
Sterling was then chopped down by Dani Carvajal and De Bruyne stepped up to put City’s penalty problems aside, slotting in the winner for a 2-1 lead at half-time in the last-16 tie.
The frantic end to the game was made even better for the Etihad club with Sergio Ramos sent off for bringing down Jesus who was clean through on goal.
His 26th Real Madrid red card means he will be suspended for the second leg on March 17.
Guardiola said: “I’m happy for the victory and the performance as well. We scored a goal and after that our rhythm came and we scored the second one.
“But, of course, there is the second leg. It is still not over. If there is one team in the world that can overcome anything, it is this club.
“Hopefully we can do a good performance and go through. We have not won anything yet but to win here is a big satisfaction.”
Guardiola became the youngest winner of the tournament as a manager when he lifted the trophy in 2009 aged 38 years and 129 daysCredit: AFP
Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson are locked on 27 Champions League knockout wins apieceCredit: PA:Press Association
Kevin De Bruyne operated as the most advanced Manchester City player with Gabriel Jesus out wide
Noel Gallagher goes mad at the Bernabeu as Man City come from behind to beat Real Madrid
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
