Pep Guardiola does seem a little rattled ahead of the big game against Manchester United on Wednesday. Normally such a calm and gracious man, he’s been a little more pragmatic in his approach to the second leg – a little more Mourinho. He reckons that any talk of Rooney and Valencia being injured is nonsense:
The Bayern coach said: “He is going to play, 100%. He is going to play – I bet you a big, big glass of beer. I believe he is going to play, and Valencia too. Rooney is going to play. He is a big player.”
He’s also done something unusual for him in implying that Manchester United will use negative tactics against Bayern Munchen on Wednesday:
“Maybe (United manager) David Moyes thinks another thing, but I think they are going to wait back with eight or nine players in the box, await our mistake and wait for a free-kick or a corner to punish us.”
He’s perhaps a little irked by the first leg and the fact that Bayern didn’t capitalise on their lions share of possession. But, as we know with modern football, it’s not how much ball you have, it’s what you do with it that counts. And Manchester United arguably used their possession better at Old Trafford.
As we know David Moyes is a cautious coach at times but he does have a wonderful array of attacking talent at his disposal. Imagine Pep’s surprise if Moyes went with this available line up.
De Gea, Valencia, Rio, Jones, Giggs – Januzaj, Carrick, Kagawa, Welbeck – Rooney, Hernandez
Manchester United fans – would this side have more chance of victory against Bayern than a defensive line up? And would Pep use more attackers if he was in charge of the Manchester United squad?
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stewart
Apr 9, 2014 at 4:51 am
just play kagawa behind rooney and WELBECK ON THE WING NOT ROONEY!
stewart
Apr 9, 2014 at 4:51 am
CARRICK FLETCHER IN THE MIDDLE