PEP GUARDIOLA has gifted old club Barcelona the blueprint that could seal a sensational El Clasico victory.
Boss Guardiola’s embattled City side bagged a superb 2-1 comeback win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Guardiola humbled Real Madrid at the BernabeuCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Gabriel Jesus and a Kevin De Bruyne penalty cancelled out Isco’s opener as Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos was also sent off. City are now in the box seat to make the quarter-finals.
Barca boss Quique Setien was in the stands to witness and take notes on Pep’s tactical masterclass.
And it is understood Setien even held talks with Guardiola about how to humble the Madrid giants.
Real can overtake LaLiga leaders Barca if they win this weekend’s blockbuster clash in the Spanish capital.
Setien told La Vanguardia: “We get along. Pep has always been very cordial to me.
“While I was at Lugo, I visited him.
“I like to chat with the technicians with whom I identify by their way of watching football or feeling it. “Pep has always been a reference.
“The other day Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso said he had spied on me. Well, I can say I spied on Guardiola.”
The 49-year-old boasts an astonishing record as Barcelona boss in El Clasico. He won eight out of 12 – including a 5-0 thrashing – with three draws and only one defeat.
City have been rocked by a two-year European ban over “serious breaches” of Financial Fair Play rules, but the club are confident they will win an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
But that only encouraged obsessive Guardiola to double down on his preparations to stun Madrid.
The former Barca midfielder admitted he spent ten days studying his old enemy and sprung a shock formation and line up that left Real and most onlookers baffled – only to come up trumps.
He left stars Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and David Silva out of his starting XI — while playing De Bruyne as a false nine.
De Bruyne admitted Guardiola sometimes only lets the players know his tactics just minutes before kick-off.
Guardiola said: “I have to know my opponents.
“We had ten free days and in those days I watched so many Real Madrid matches. I’m so proud of my players but it’s just the first part.
“If one club can overcome this situation, it’s them — but it’s a good result.”
Pep Guardiola is delighted after memorable Man City win over Real Madrid in the Champions League
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
