Manchester City fans find it funny when Jack Grealish is spotted IN GOAL during training…just hours after Pep Guardiola vowed he will not overdo his team ahead of the semi-final second leg with Real Madrid
- Pep Guardiola is known for overthinking his team selections in Europe
- When Jack Grealish was spotted in goal during training, there was deja vu
- Guardiola has promised that he will not think too much about his team on Wednesday night
If there’s one criticism of Pep Guardiola’s greatness as a manager, it’s that he tends to overthink his team selections when it comes to the Champions League.
Fans can still remember the disappointments against Lyon, Tottenham and in the final against Chelsea in 2021, so images of Jack Grealish in goal during training caused more than a few heart palpitations among supporters.
As fans jokingly snapped the shots of a diving Grealish – who appeared to be struggling with his teammates’ firepower – it quickly became a running joke that this was Guardiola’s latest twist.
Just hours earlier, Guardiola himself had acknowledged the tension surrounding his frequency of overthinking, vowing that this time will be different.
“I don’t think about it too long,” Guardiola said on Tuesday after hinting at an adjustment for the semi-final against Real Madrid. ‘Do not worry. It’s nothing different from what we’ve done, just more fluid in attack and playing a little bit better.’
Jack Grealish decided to trade in attack for goalkeeping during Manchester City’s training session
The left winger was less than convincing and will not frighten Ederson
Fans joked that Grealish in goal would be Pep Guardiola’s latest experiment
City fans saw the funny side and joked that Ederson will start on the left wing
That adjustment certainly won’t be Grealish in goal, but the winger was one of many players in good spirits ahead of a well-balanced second leg in the Champions League semi-final.
City are chasing a famous Treble victory this campaign with the Premier League title now close, a chance for a Champions League final close at hand and the FA Cup final to follow.
Europe is the one that has continued to elude them since Guardiola arrived – tasked with winning this match after two successes with Barcelona.
However, should City fail to emerge victorious after a 1-1 first leg in Spain, Guardiola believes there will be no damage to his ‘legacy’ as manager.
“The legacy is that we had a great time and they will remember this generation of players for many years to come,” said Guardiola.
“My legacy is already exceptional. For years we have scored many goals and conceded very few, we have won many things and won very well.
“People need to remember that. It would be a good book. Whether they will remember.’
City more than held their own in the first leg, with Kevin De Bruyne equalizing to make it 1-1 and letting it all play out at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
“To the owners, for the amount of money they’ve pumped in and the investment, we owe it to them,” defense attorney Kyle Walker said.
The mood is high in the Man City camp as their hunt for a famous Treble continues this week
Erling Haaland (back) had a hard time in the first leg of the semi-finals and will have to make up for it
Guardiola showed a neat touch during the session as he played keep-ups with one of the balls
Guardiola (right) hinted at an adjustment to his team from the first leg to have more control
“It’s big for all of us in that dressing room. We’ve been through some tough times and hopefully this is the icing on the cake, to make history and put this club on the Champions League map. It’s a huge week for the club.’
On the other side is defending champion Real Madrid, a team brimming with Champions League-winning pedigree.
“We are eager to get started. We have to enjoy it, live every minute,” said Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric. All titles speak for themselves. We have created a dynasty. You have this in your head, it gives you extra motivation.
“We feel at home in these kinds of games. The history of the club obliges you to give the maximum in this competition. I’m proud of what we’ve done.’