Guardiola prioritized the semifinals against real Madridwithout forgetting that also the Premier depends on yours and half delivered the ‘Cup‘. He did not look fit enough to give his starters a third beating in seven days and he left six on the bench, too many for the entity of the rival in front of him. To compensate, he threatened with an eleven in which four forwards could fit: Gabriel Jesus-Grealish-Sterling-Fodenbut the block broke into two halves and the Liverpool he took it ahead. Klopphowever, bet heavily on being in the final of the oldest competition in the world and lined up an eleven that, in a full first part, half ballet, half rock, inflamed its masses, most in the pharaonic Wembley.
Guardiola goes to congratulate Klopp while he hugs a member of his staff.
TONY OBRIEN (Action Images via Reuters)
In key semifinals of Championsthose of Anfield They proved to be at an optimal time. Both game and physical. When Liverpool plays, it’s that they really play. He mixes pause and vertigo and his football enters through his eyes. You can now Emery get another magic slate out of his unpredictable trunk to stop the red swarm. The City, on the contrary, walks more fair. Of mind and legs. Or so it seems if you analyze the two games against him Athletic and these two in a row against Liverpool in which he only made the cut in the first part of the Premier duel the previous Saturday.