Ugly scenes marred the end of Manchester City’s 3-1 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday as both Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho were sent off.
Aguero’s horror challenge on David Luiz and Fernandinho throat-grab and shove on Cesc Fabregas have both received their fair share of criticism, but they weren’t alone in acting out.
After the final whistle, a dejected Pep Guardiola appeared to echo his Brazilian midfielder’s behaviour by taking his frustration out on Fabregas – as the Spaniard approached his former Barcelona manager, it looked as if the Catalan refused to shake his hand.
The immediate suggestion was that this snub had something to do with their relationship at the Nou Camp, as it’s thought Guardiola didn’t particularly want to re-sign Fabregas.
However, the City boss has now elaborated on the incident, and there’s a much more innocent explanation – or perhaps he’s just cooled down.
“I said hello to Cesc in the dressing room,” he told reporters.
“On the field I didn’t realise he was trying to greet me.”
It certainly seemed like an extreme reaction at the time, so no wonder he’s moved to set the record straight.
Guardiola was speaking ahead of his team’s final Champions League group game with Celtic, with City already qualified for the knockout stages regardless of the result.
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