I’m a Barcelona fan to the core, a Barcelona fan at heart and on Saturday I wanted Inter Milan to go to extra time (it seemed fair to me). I have, or I am, a problem: why was he from Barça and with two great friends who are friends – in turn – of Pep Guardiola not defending that 1-0 and asking for time?
Unlike many Guardiola players, no one has to explain their merits to me. I have lived them. The great Ramon Besa discovered Santpedor’s to me in an anthological report about his tough beginnings, when he alternated between the first team and the Miniestadi, where many Rondinaires members were dedicated to sinking the chavals. I celebrated his ’92 gold on the spot. I attended his farewell at Camp Nou out of affection for a bit of a midfielder. And I admired at Nou Sardenya his promotion from the subsidiary, first year as coach. I will never forget his infectious and boyish enthusiasm that morning…
Distancing came with the process, the sterile process. Guardiola retweeted, took it for granted and never apologized for the fake that in Barcelona the Spanish police, like Nazis, had broken all the fingers of a young woman’s hand one by one. Between truth and nationalism, he chose nationalism…
It also didn’t help, intellectually, the attempt to “politicize” our football with the yellow ribbon, which he gave up as soon as he was reminded that it is in England – and not in Spain – where he is most persecuted – and that it is not censorship – ideological propaganda in the stadiums.
Pep Guardiola is the only pro-independence player with worldwide prestige, which is why the Madrid sports press and this botafumeiro are a little burdened by some here. But from an idyllic Republic to celebrate City winning the Champions League as if it were Barça… Let’s not screw it up, lady!
However, Guardiola has made football better, which we are so passionate about. And with the intelligence in this Champions League to be cautious against Madrid and Inter to achieve what is fundamental: victory, which does him justice. Many hours of brainstorming, selfless dedication and a privileged footballing intelligence, which he already had in the long-lost Mini. A lifetime (and wait!). The best coach in the world.
