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Bayern against Manchester City is not only the big hit in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, it is also the duel between the two star trainers Thomas Tuchel (49) and Pep Guardiola (52).
The two first met in the Bundesliga in 2014. At that time, Guardiola was still on the sidelines of current opponent Bayern, while Tuchel was the coach of Mainz. In this first showdown, Tuchel impressed his opponent with his tactical tricks and his innovative approach.
From salt shakers in the restaurant
The game then ended 4-1 to Bayern, but Guardiola was so fascinated by Tuchel that he wanted to meet him. This meeting then took place in 2015, they agreed to meet in a restaurant in Munich.
According to Michael Reschke (65), technical director at Bayern at the time and organizer of the meeting, Tuchel and Guardiola talked for hours in the restaurant about football and tactics. The conversations were so passionate that they simulated tactical situations with salt shakers and other tableware.
Over the course of their careers, Guardiola and Tuchel met nine more times after the restaurant meeting. The Spaniard won five times, the German three times and the points were shared once.
Guardiola’s mistake in the greatest duel
The statistics speak for pep, but Tuchel won the most important meeting so far. In the 2021 Champions League final, the then Chelsea coach met Guardiola’s Manchester City.
And while Tuchel only made minor tactical adjustments, Guardiola took full risk, leaving pacer Rodri on the bench and putting Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez in new positions.
A risk that did not pay off: Guardiola coached himself and surprisingly lost the final 0-1. Chelsea on the throne of the premier class, Tuchel on the Olympus of European club football.
Does Pep have a Haaland problem?
Almost two years later, the two tacticians meet in the last eight. And this time Guardiola could be his greatest weapon and his downfall.
Because super striker Erling Haaland (22) continues to score on the treadmill, but his role in the team is not undisputed. Because quite a few connoisseurs in England believe that the Citizens would actually play better with storm competitor Julian Alvarez (23).
According to this, Haaland scores a lot of goals, but otherwise does not do much for the game. Alvarez is completely different: the Argentinian often falls in midfield and therefore fits better in Guardiola’s system in terms of playing style. And the 2022 world champion can also score goals: Alvarez contributed a whopping 17 goals in his 16 starting appearances.
There is no doubt that Pep Guardiola will still rely on his Norwegian superstar against Bayern. However, if his concept doesn’t work this time either, the criticism will be louder than ever. And Tuchel would be the lucky winner again.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
