It’s the bombshell quarterfinal tie. The balls have been capricious and framed the German and English champions in a crossroads where sparks can fly. There are many pending accounts between the two ‘coconuts’… starting with the benches. Pep Guardiola and Julian Nagelsmann, two revolutionary technicians who have had a relationship with ups and downs. It is not very well known in what state it is now. The Bayern coach went from praising the Spaniard: “My model is Pep Guardiola’s Barça. He raised football to another level ”, to be critical. “It would be interesting how successful Pep would be at Hoffenheim or me at Manchester City. In principle, what speaks of Pep are the titles that he won ”. Nagelsmann has only crossed paths with Guardiola’s City in 2018 with Hoffenheim in the group stage. Two 2-1 defeats.
Voltage by and with Cancel
Apart from the benches, there is another hot topic of the star crossing of the quarterfinals. The reunion of João Cancelo with those who have been his companions until just a few months ago. The Portuguese winger went to Munich in search of minutes, which Guardiola did not grant him in Manchester. A cold relationship that has become tense over the weeks. With Cancelo in Germany, the situation of the defender on loan to Bayern for the citizens. “It is a lie that he will fight me with Guardiola,” said the defender. “I have nothing more to say about Cancelo,” replied the Spaniard. Cancelo’s presence in the team opposite City The clash of quarters will bring spice.
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Sané, an ‘old’ acquaintance
Of tensions with Guardiola knows perfectly Sané. The German winger was a flashy signing of Guardiola as soon as he reached the Premier, but he left through the back door for Bayern four seasons later. Guardiola’s demand with Sané and the German’s clueless and rebellious attitude ended up blowing up a relationship that went from more to less with the passage of time. Sané has the opportunity to vindicate himself before his former ‘boss’.
Guardiola returns to the Allianz Arena
Pep Guardiola will meet again with Munich, which was his home between 2013 and 2016. It will be the first time since his departure that Bayern is measured. He has only met in an official match with the German club in the quarterfinals of the 2009 Champions League with a favorable balance for Santpedor’s. He will meet many of the footballers he was in charge of, mainly Thomas Müller: “Pep left here a long time ago and, now, we will see each other again for the first time. Personally, I am very happy that the second leg is going to be played here in Munich”, explained one of the German legends. This summer they already saw their faces in a preparation friendly with a Mancunian victory.
Nagelsmann also referred to the clash against Bayern: “It’s a good and challenging draw. If you win the title in the end, you can’t say we were lucky in the draw. We already had a difficult group stage, then came PSG and now City. Also a possible semifinal would be first class…”.
Haaland and his pumpkins to Bayern
Above all the proper names stands out the one of Erling Haaland. The Norwegian is the top scorer in this Champions League and always has a thorn stuck against Bayern. They have never beaten them: seven defeats in seven games. Including two German Super Cup finals. He has scored five goals for them with the Borussia Dortmund shirt.
Hasan Salihamidzic acknowledged, in statements to sky sportswho tried to sign him: “We were in talks, but it became clear that things might not work out between the two parties. For this reason, he is now at Manchester City and we have other players”. Haaland’s fatherAlf also acknowledged his discomfort with the Bavarian way of doing things: “They have shown interest (Bayern), they have. I understand that they want to protect themselves and if Haaland does not end there, they will say that there was never anything, because they already have the best striker (Lewandowski)”. Haaland headed for the Premier and Mané arrived at the Alliance.
Fate wanted that in summer Haaland will debut with the City shirt in a friendly in the US against Bayern de Nagelsmann and scored the only goal of the match. His small revenge that will now have a second chapter in the Champions League quarterfinals. Will Haaland break his jinx against Bayern? Will the Bavarians regret not tying him short?