Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has launched a scathing critique of Pep Guardiola following Manchester City’s crushing 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League. Scholes, known for his outspoken views on English clubs’ performances in European competitions, did not mince his words as he dissected Guardiola’s tactical decisions. He suggested that the City manager’s approach is harming the Premier League’s reputation on the continental stage.
The loss at the Santiago Bernabéu was a nightmare for Manchester City, as Real Madrid delivered a dominant display that exposed the flaws in Guardiola’s setup. Leading the charge for Madrid was Kylian Mbappé, who tormented City’s defense with a phenomenal hat-trick. Without their prolific striker Erling Haaland, who was sidelined due to injury, City struggled to find a reliable attacking threat. Meanwhile, their defensive vulnerabilities were laid bare as Madrid’s relentless offensive pressure proved too much to handle.
Scholes was particularly critical of Guardiola’s tactics, highlighting how his team selection and strategic choices contributed significantly to City’s downfall. He argued that the defensive structure was too fragile, which allowed Real Madrid’s attackers to exploit spaces with ease. City’s central defenders, Rúben Dias and Nathan Aké, had a torrid time dealing with the pace and skill of Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. Their inability to contain Madrid’s dynamic frontline led to costly mistakes, which the Spanish giants took full advantage of.
On the attacking front, Manchester City appeared disjointed in Haaland’s absence. Guardiola opted to deploy a false nine system, but the tactic failed to yield the desired results. City’s attacking moves lacked fluidity and sharpness, making it easier for Madrid’s well-organized defense to neutralize their threats. Despite the best efforts of playmakers like Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden, City failed to break through Madrid’s defensive setup effectively.
Scholes voiced his frustration over Guardiola’s habit of overcomplicating tactics in crucial Champions League encounters. He pointed out that the City manager has a track record of making unnecessary adjustments in high-stakes European matches, often to the team’s detriment. According to Scholes, City’s defeat was not merely a case of poor execution on the pitch but a reflection of Guardiola’s tendency to overthink and tinker with his strategies in critical moments.
This latest elimination from the Champions League raises fresh concerns about Manchester City’s ability to translate their domestic dominance into European success. Despite their continued supremacy in the Premier League, their struggles in Europe suggest that Guardiola may need to reassess his approach in knockout fixtures.
As City looks to recover from this devastating loss, Guardiola will come under intense scrutiny for his decisions. With the Premier League title race still in progress, he must find a way to restore his squad’s confidence and ensure that the mistakes made in Madrid do not haunt them in future European campaigns.
