Even by the standards of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, it was a stunning display of strength. There were a few of them here at the club’s training ground on Tuesday as the manager looked ahead to the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid on Wednesday night – one of the most monumental occasions in City’s history.
As he had done before the first leg at the Bernabéu last Tuesday, which finished 1-1, Guardiola had no problem in admitting his bosses – the top brass from Abu Dhabi – craved a first Champions League success. It has been a subtle change of tone and his articulation of it seems to come from a place of confidence.
