Pep Guardiola experienced a carousel of emotions in the match against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium that finally ended with the Premier League title for his Manchester City. The Catalan coach was dismayed as the ‘villains’ advanced and his face became a poem with the visitors’ second goal.
But with Gündogan’s entrance, his feelings of frustration and disappointment turned first to hope and then to euphoria. The one from Santpedor celebrated each one of the comeback goals with anger and joy, especially the second from the German midfielder and the third from the cityzens, the one that gave them the title in the 81st minute.
The coach lived with tension from the band in the last few minutes and exploded with happiness at the final whistle. He merged into a hug with all his assistants and some players as fans invaded the field to get closer to their heroes. Guardiola could not hold back his tears when he hugged again with Juanma Lillo, his second in command.
The Catalan won his fourth Premier League this Sunday since he arrived at Manchester City and congratulated Liverpool, the rival that has taken them to the limit, until practically the last minute of the final day. “I have never seen an opponent as tough as Liverpool. They have helped us get better every season,” he told Sky Sports.
“If we’ve won four titles in five years, it’s because these guys are special. Winning at home, with our fans, is the best. Villa have given everything, but when we found the goal everything changed,” Guardiola added. On the possibility that he extends his contract with the skyblues beyond 2023, Guardiola said that he now does not have “the strength to think about the next season” and that for the moment he will play golf.
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