Pep Guardiola let his tender side show as he was pictured consoling former player Leroy Sane in the aftermath of Manchester City ’s win over Bayern Munich.
The reigning Premier League champions held the German giants to a 1-1 draw at the Allianz Arena, with Erling Haaland and Joshua Kimmich exchanging goals. That was good enough to secure City’s progression to the last four courtesy of a 4-1 aggregate success.
Whilst City boss Guardiola took time to celebrate his side’s triumph in Bavaria, he was also pictured being somewhat more magnanimous. Following the full-time whistle, the Spaniard was spotted consoling German winger Sane in the tunnel.
The pair shared a few words, the former Man City star appearing to wipe his eyes after the disappointment of Bayern’s exit. Guardiola then looked as though he examined the 27-year-old’s bruised lip that he sustained after allegedly being hit by teammate Sadio Mane.
Sane started the game against his former club at the Allianz and spurned a great first-half opportunity, rolling his effort wide of Ederson’s goal after a one-on-one with the Brazilian. Speaking after the game, he suggested Bayern were deserving of more and that their exit ‘annoyed’ him.
Speaking to BT Sport, the German wideman said: “Today was a good game from us, strong game, I have to score and make it 1-0. City got a lot of pressure, it is tough as we lost first game away 3-0, it shouldn't have happened, today we could have done a lot, it's tough for me with a big chance.
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“I think we had good control, won lots of balls in midfield, if I score I would like to know how the game went. I know the team quite well and how strong they are at home, if you concede three goals away in first leg it's tough, they know how to control the game.
“It's really annoying how it went especially how we played today, the team played really well and I'm proud of that, we have to keep up the spirit and focus on the league.”
Asked if his former club play ‘unbelievable football’, he was forthright in his thoughts by replying: “Yes they do [play unbelievable], everyone likes how they play, congrats to them.”
After beating Bayern, City now face another major test as they attempt to lift their first-ever European crown. Guardiola’s side have been drawn to face Spanish giants Real Madrid after they beat another Premier League outfit in the form of Chelsea to reach the semi-finals.
Elsewhere, Sane’s Bayern have now been forced to focus on their fight to lift an 11th consecutive Bundesliga title after Champions League and DFB-Pokal exits since Thomas Tuchel ’s appointment in Bavaria.
