Pep Guardiola dominates the headlines with a bizarre stadium tour after Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat in Newcastle. Only when questions are asked does he regain his composure.
Where the fun begins for neutral spectators is usually where it ends for Pep Guardiola. Newcastle United and Manchester City played a thrilling Premier League evening match on Saturday with so many chances on both sides that it was a nightmare for any coach who likes to control the opponent and the ball. However, after the spectacle, which ManCity lost 2-1 after conceding three goals in seven minutes, the focus was on another loss of control: that of Guardiola himself.
Visibly agitated, the Catalan confronted Newcastle pro Bruno Guimaraes, referee Samuel Barrott, and even a cameraman, whose headphones he pushed aside to tell him something, without smiling. Sky Sports reported that Guardiola later showed up in the referee’s dressing room to resume the discussions. Only when asked about his angry tour of the stadium did the coach regain his composure. “Everything is fine,” he assured several times, now actually smiling, even though there had been no indication of this. He said he just wanted to let Bruno Guimaraes know what a great player he is, and that there was no problem with the referees. “I’m not going to talk about them.”
ManCity protests several times in vain
He would have had every reason to do so. Before the break, Barrott denied ManCity two possible penalties: First, Fabian Schär clearly kicked Phil Foden’s foot after his shot, then Malick Thiaw got a ball from Jeremy Doku on his arm. And around the winning goal by Harvey Barnes, who scored twice, the visitors complained in vain about a foul on keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who had been blocked borderline on the corner, and an offside position by Bruno Guimaraes.
Only later did the Premier League provide a screenshot to prove that the assist provider was level with the goal line. Man City’s defeat was unfortunate, but also deserved. “Newcastle were better and deserved to win,” said goalscorer Ruben Dias, despite his anger at the referee.
Nick Woltemade alone missed two big chances and exposed Man City’s instability.
22 points after twelve matchdays is the second-worst haul in Guardiola’s tenth season after 2020/21 (20). The gap to leaders Arsenal, who host Tottenham this Sunday, could be seven points after the matchday. “Everything is fine,” Guardiola said of the situation. But: “The season is still very, very, very long.”
