‘Shut up’ – Pep Guardiola opens up on De Bruyne bust-up after Man City win over Madrid
Pep Guardiola explained what caused Kevin De Bruyne to tell him to “shut up” after Manchester City’s win over Real Madrid.
A first-half brace from Bernardo Silva sent City on their way, before a Manuel Akanji header and a late Julian Alvarez goal secured a 4-0 win at the Etihad, which ensured easy progression to the Champions League final, 5-1 on aggregate.
Guardiola’s side are on course to record an historic treble, with just three wins now standing in their way.
Despite City’s domination of Madrid, Guardiola was frustrated on the touchline at some sloppiness at the start of the second half, which led him to berate De Bruyne for losing possession.
TV cameras spotted the Belgian’s aggressive reply, as he was seen screaming “shut up, shut up” back at his manager.
Asked about the incident after the game, Guardiola said he was concerned by his side “rushing a lot”.
He told Spanish broadcaster Movistar: “At 2-0 we rushed a lot.
“Right after the break [Ilkay] Gundogan lost a ball, Kevin made three transitions that weren’t necessary and we rushed a lot when we had to do the opposite, sink them and turn them, sink them and turn them.
“But it’s normal. It gets close, you rush, and it has cost us more, although in general we have had an extraordinary game.”
City are overwhelming favourites with bookmakers to beat Inter, just as they are to lift the FA Cup against rivals Manchester United seven days before that date with destiny in Turkey.
Guardiola’s men are also odds-on to complete the treble, which they can kick off this weekend by wrapping up the Premier League title against Chelsea.
“We are one game away from winning the Premier League for three years in a row, and we have been in two Champions League finals and one semi-final,” he said.
“That is consistency. I always put the example of being Carabao Cup winners for four years in a row. That means the level of this team.
“There is one incredible detail in this team that I’m so proud of – they are so humble. It doesn’t matter the competition, they take every game seriously because they are so humble.
“I hate arrogance in sport, the moment that you believe you are something you are not. These guys have not done this for many years and today we got the reward they deserve.
“A final against an Italian team, people will say we are favourites and that is the worst that can happen but we have time to prepare and now we focus on Chelsea because we have to try to close the Premier League as soon as possible because we have to prepare for United and Inter Milan.”
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