MX23RW : Friday, October 4 15:21:49| >> :120:4274:4274:
[monks data]
Slovan Bratislava
Champions League | League Stage
Oct 1, 2024 at 8pm UK
Stadion Tehelne pole
Manchester City logo

Slovan Bratislava
0 - 4
Man City

FT(HT: 0-2)
Gundogan (8'), Foden (15'), Haaland (58'), McAtee (74')

Slovan Bratislava vs. Man City: Pep Guardiola compared to Antoni Gaudi ahead of Champions League clash

© Imago
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts to being compared to famous architect Antoni Gaudi ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Slovan Bratislava in Slovakia.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been compared to famous architect Antoni Gaudi ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Slovan Bratislava in Slovakia.

Guardiola is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time and has built several formidable teams during his trophy-laden nine-year spell in charge of Man City.

The 53-year-old has won a total of 18 trophies as manager of the Citizens, including four successive Premier League titles and one Champions League, while he also lifted a combined 21 trophies during his times in charge of Barcelona and Bayern Munich prior to his arrival at the Etihad Stadium in 2016.

Guardiola's success at the highest level over a 16-year period has been likened to the work of fellow Catalan Gaudi (1852-1926), who is considered to be the greatest exponent of Catalan Modernism and most famously designed the iconic Sagrada Familia church.

Ahead of Tuesday's clash with Man City, Slovan Bratislava manager Vladimir Weiss told reporters: "I'd compare Pep to Gaudi; he's been building something nobody can understand.

"He is a genius just like Gaudi had his idea [to build] a cathedral and now he's achieved what he wanted to do. He's selected players who fit his philosophy.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola pictured on August 31, 2024© Imago

Guardiola flattered by Weiss's Gaudi comparison

"I love [Carlo] Ancelotti, [Jurgen] Klopp, but Pep has changed football with is attitude and creativity and stubbornness - in a good way.

"Each player plays in his position, whether at Barca or Bayern Munich the players know how to move, where to be, what is their position. City is showing it on the pitch."

In response to Weiss's kind words, Guardiola jokingly said: "Oh really? And didn't he have wine in his glass?"

He added: "What can I say to that? Maybe just thank you very much. Gaudi was the greatest. When you come to the Sagrada Familia cathedral, you feel his vision and at the same time you say to yourself that this is not possible.

"We are finishing the Sagrada Familia, still it's not done, but when you go there into this temple, you realise what - in that time, without 3Ds and all this technology - this person (Gaudi) had the vision to create or think this type of things.

"You cannot realise it's possible...Hopefully in my adorable and lovely country, Catalunya, sooner or later can finish it, and all of the people around the world, religious or not, can enjoy it."

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on August 24, 2024© Imago

Guardiola talks up Slovan Bratislava test

Man City will be regarded as firm favourites to beat Champions League debutants Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday, but Guardiola is expecting another tough test on the European stage after drawing 0-0 with Inter Milan in their opening fixture a fortnight ago.

"This is a team that I would say plays with courage," said Guardiola. "I saw the game against Celtic (a 5-1 defeat in Glasgow) and they were not scared to play, not scared to link with their striker and they want to try it.

"The Champions League it doesn't matter, I always have incredible respect for all the teams, especially when you play away. Hopefully we can be an aggressive team again and take a result."

Guardiola added: "I learned nothing is for granted (as a manager). The media is going to say how beautiful we are but always you have to do it. Nothing comes for free.

"Always I have an incredible opinion of my opponents and my colleagues. I never win a game just thinking because I am here or Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Always I try to give credit and especially for our opponents."

Meanwhile, Guardiola has provided a fresh update on the fitness of Kevin De Bruyne, who has missed City's last three games with a groin injury.

ID:554318:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5644:No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Pep Guardiola

Click here for more stories about Manchester City

Game History

How you voted: Slovan Bratislava vs Man City

Slovan Bratislava
15.0%
Draw
9.0%
Manchester City
75.9%
266
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne pictured on September 18, 2024
Read Next:
When will Man City star De Bruyne return from injury?
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
OT
Buccaneers
30-36
Falcons
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Dortmund22006
2B. Leverkusen22006
3Benfica22006
4Brest22006
5Aston Villa22006
6Liverpool22006
7Juventus22006
8Inter Milan21104
9Man City21104
10Atalanta21104
11Arsenal21104
12Sparta Prague21104
13Sporting Lisbon21104
14Monaco21104
15Lille21013
16Bayern21013
17Barcelona21013
18Real Madrid21013
19PSG21013
20Celtic21013
21Brugge21013
22Atletico21013
23Feyenoord21013
24Bologna20111
25Shakhtar20111
26PSV20111
27Stuttgart20111
28Dinamo Zagreb20111
29Girona20020
30RB Leipzig20020
31Sturm Graz20020
32AC Milan20020
33Red Star20020
34Salzburg20020
35Slovan Bratislava20020
36Young Boys20020


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!