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We evaluate three things Pep Guardiola could have done differently to ensure his side beat Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final clash.
Real Madrid triumphed in the stiffly contested Champions League quarter-final clash against Premier League champions Manchester City via shootouts.
Although the Cityzens were the vanquished on the day, they dominated the stats board, which makes it difficult to objectively criticise their approach to the game, and Pep Guardiola by extension.
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22:57 - 17.04.2024
Inevitable Real Madrid dump out Manchester City to set up Bayern clash
Real Madrid knocked out Manchester City for the second time in three seasons to advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
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We will congratulate them –– Man City boss Pep Guardiola on potential title winners
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has stated that he is prepared to offer congratulations to any team that wins the title this season.
But could things have gone differently if Guardiola made the following moves?
Ortega for Ederson ahead of shootout
Ederson is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, playing out the back, but his record for stopping penalties is far from stellar.
The Brazil international has only made six penalty saves from 57 faced in his career (10.5%), according to TransferMarkt, the last one coming three years ago.
Although Ederson saved a penalty, Luka Modric's attempt, he did not inspire confidence against the four others. Guardiola, aware of Ederson's shortcomings, could have improved his team’s chances, bringing on Stefan Ortega—a superior goalkeeper from 18 yards—for the shootout.
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Ortega is a relatively solid penalty saver. He has made nine penalty saves from 43 faced in his career (20.9%), a significant jump from what Ederson assures.
Doku should have seen more action
Real Madrid coped with Manchester City's pressure with minimal fuss until Jeremy Doku came on. The Belgian’s shot forced a poor clearance from Antoine Rudiger, which Kevin de Bruyne latched on to give City an equaliser.
Doku’s dribbling ability and dynamism were difficult for Real Madrid to cope with and seeing how he did not feature in the first-leg and only came on in the 72nd minute in the second, it begs the question, could the tie have gone differently had Doku played more? This editor believes so.
Alvarez for Haaland earlier
The German international and former Chelsea star, Rudiger, did a remarkable job on Haaland.
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He kept the Norwegian sterile across both legs. It would have been a bold move, but Guardiola should have yanked off Haaland earlier for the more subtle Alvarez.
Given Real Madrid's low block, the Argentine World Cup winner would have been a more efficient option in City’s attempt to find the chink in Real Madrid's backline.
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