ALL eyes were on Pep Guardiola as Man City visited Real Madrid looking to finally win the Champions League.
The City boss has been criticised by some in the past for overthinking things with elaborate tactical tweaks in the biggest European games.
But as his side drew 1-1 with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, fans were more concerned by something he DIDN’T do.
That’s because he became the first manager since 2007 to not make a single substitution in a Champions League semi-final.
It marked the second time during City’s European campaign that the boss had made no changed, after the 1-1 draw with Leipzig in February.
One fan tweeted: “Pep didn’t make a single sub. You just know that brother was scared of making a mistake.”
READ MORE MAN CITY NEWS
Another wrote: “Pep fears Real Madrid so much, dude couldn’t even make subs”
And a third commented: “Pep is just too human sometimes, rise to the occasion you nervous wreck and make a sub!”
Even Sergio Aguero was left confused by Guardiola’s decision.
The Man City legend said: “What I don’t understand is why he didn’t put Julian [Alvarez on]…
Most read in Champions League
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
“I wonder, but well it’s Pep. He doesn’t marry anyone.
“If it was up to me, I’d play Julian in almost every game – we need him to be active and have a spark…”
The last time a manager chose not to make a sub in a Champions League semi-final was 16 years ago when Man Utd finished their game against AC Milan with the same team that started.
But Sir Alex Ferguson’s approach that night paid off as Wayne Rooney scored a last minute winner in a 3-2 first leg victory.
And Arsenal fans were more than happy to see Guardiola follow Fergie’s lead.
One wrote: “Watching and Pep has made no subs for 90 minutes, Everton please make their tired legs work”
Another fan commented: “It’s up to Pep Guardiola to choose between winning the Champions League or the Premier League.
“He has to sub some players for PL matches, if the Champions League is his main priority. Leave the Premier League for Arsenal FC.”
And another tweeted: “Surprised Pep didn’t make a single sub tonight with Everton away on the weekend…
“Tonight went brilliantly for Arsenal too”
Man City visit Everton on Sunday as they look to open up a four point Premier League gap on Arsenal, who host Brighton later in the afternoon.
Pep Guardiola’s men then host Real Madrid in the second leg next Wednesday.
Read More on The Sun
Asked why he had made no changed Guardiola explained: “Because I thought the players on the pitch were doing well.
“They all had a certain skillset, retaining the ball. Madrid have players who can transition quickly, if the game goes crazy, we cannot match them.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
