PEP Guardiola has sarcastically brushed aside accusations that he ‘overthinks’ crucial UEFA Champions League matches.
The Spaniard did not pick a defensive midfielder in the Manchester City side in last season’s final defeat to Chelsea, which was attributed to his tendency to abandon his principles in key games.
Before that final, which Chelsea won 1-0 after taking advantage of a huge hole in City’s midfield, there was criticism following defeats by Monaco, Liverpool, Tottenham and Lyon.
“I overthink a lot,” he said sarcastically during Monday’s press conference ahead of Tuesday’s quarter-final first leg against Atletico Madrid. “It’s absolutely [fair], that’s why I’ve had very good results in the Champions League.
“It would be boring, my job, if all the time I had to win the same way.
“Every player a has mother and father with different personalities. I have to adapt. That’s why I love to overthink with stupid tactics, and if I don’t win I look stupid.
“Tonight I will take inspiration and do incredible tactics tomorrow. We’ll play with 12.”
Guardiola won two Champions League titles in his four seasons at Barcelona, his first job as head coach of a senior side.
However, despite years of domestic success at Bayern Munich and Manchester City, he has not won another continental title since his last Barca triumph in 2011.
He reached three semi-finals with Bayern Munich and last year’s final with City.
City’s opponents Atletico Madrid saw off Manchester United in the round of 16 and Guardiola expressed enormous respect for the Spanish champions.
“As a team they avoid risk in the build-up centrally,” he explained. “Those balls are incredibly aggressive, they win the ball and play. With the quality of players they have upfront, they can do it. One game here, one game there.
“They are champions of Spain, the league where in the last 20 years, the most teams have won the Champions League. That league is so difficult and they are champions.
“I admire their consistency, been twice to Barcelona and Real Madrid, they fight and reach two finals. Losing one corner before extra time and another extra time.
“They know how to handle this competition. When I started in Barcelona it was different, now you arrive the last eight all teams are incredibly tough. It’s a football game, give everything we have and after in Madrid will dictate who goes through.”
