“Guardiola suffocates teams and players” – Dietmar Hamann attacks Manchester City boss after Champions League exit to Real Madrid 

​

Dietmar Hamann has criticised the Spaniard (left) after Manchester City's UCL exit.

Former Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann has criticised manager Pep Guardiola after the team's UEFA Champions League semi-final exit against Real Madrid. The Premier League leaders lost 3-1 in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, May 4, to crash out 6-5 on aggregate.

The defeat was unexpected, as City were in control for most of the tie. They beat Los Blancos 4-3 in the first leg and took the lead in the 73rd minute through Riyad Mahrez in the second leg. However, Rodrygo Goes scored two goals within 90 seconds to force extra time. Karim Benzema then scored the winner from the spot.

While City dominated the tie, Real Madrid opened up the tie with their late flourish, leaving the visitors clueless and bereft of ideas. They failed to create enough chances. Hamann said about the same on Twitter:

"Never seen a team as helpless as City in last 15 minutes. Usually you always get one more chance they never."

Didi Hamann

@DietmarHamann

Never seen a team as helpless as City in last 15 minutes. Usually you always get one more chance they never. twitter.com/gcooney93/stat…

Gavin Cooney

@gcooney93

this is an interesting point - City definitely lack personality on the pitch, especially without De Bruyne. As soon as Madrid poured salt into City's usually slick engine, they had nothing else to respond with

twitter.com/DietmarHamann/…

28

2

this is an interesting point - City definitely lack personality on the pitch, especially without De Bruyne. As soon as Madrid poured salt into City's usually slick engine, they had nothing else to respond with

twitter.com/DietmarHamann/…

Never seen a team as helpless as City in last 15 minutes. Usually you always get one more chance they never. twitter.com/gcooney93/stat…

He also criticised Guardiola for his player management and coaching style, comparing with that of Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti and Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp. Hamann tweeted:

"If you give players responsibility, they act responsible. If you try to play the game for them, they won’t. Guardiola suffocates teams and players to make their own decisions. Compare that to Ancelotti's or Klopp's teams."

Didi Hamann

@DietmarHamann

If you give players responsibility they act responsible. If you try to play the game for them they won’t. Guardiola suffocates teams and players to make their own decisions. Compare that to Ancelottis or Klopps teams twitter.com/migueldelaney/…

Miguel Delaney

@MiguelDelaney

What was also striking was how obvious it was nothing was going to happen after Benzema's penalty. City were done, devoid of ideas - just lumping it to no big man!

independent.co.uk/sport/football…

96

12

What was also striking was how obvious it was nothing was going to happen after Benzema's penalty. City were done, devoid of ideas - just lumping it to no big man!

independent.co.uk/sport/football…

If you give players responsibility they act responsible. If you try to play the game for them they won’t. Guardiola suffocates teams and players to make their own decisions. Compare that to Ancelottis or Klopps teams twitter.com/migueldelaney/…

---

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City endure European heartbreak as Real Madrid seek 14th title

Pep Guardiola joined Manchester City in 2016 and has won three Premier League titles. He looks set to add another, as they lead the standings by one point over second-placed Liverpool, with four games to go.

However, City have failed to win in the UEFA Champions League under the Spaniard's tutelage. They made the final last year but lost to Chelsea before suffering a spectacular implosion to lose to Real Madrid in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Los Blancos will look to add their third trophy of the season after winnning the Supercopa de Espana and a record-extending 35th La Liga title. They will face Liverpool in the Champions League final on 28 May at the Stade de France in Paris, hoping to win a record-extending 14th title.

​