Guardiola: 'There is no failure in football'

Speaking before the Champions League final, coach Pep Guardiola said the most important thing in football is effort, not success or failure.

In an interview with UEFA on June 6, Guardiola understood that Man City had to beat Inter on the evening of June 10. "We cannot deny that. But the most important thing is to try and not give up," he said. "We were in the final two years ago and lost. But two years later Man City went to the final to compete for the championship, and that is proof of a great team."

Coach Pep Guardiola in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England on the evening of May 17, 2023. Photo: Reuters — Coach Pep Guardiola in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England on the evening of May 17, 2023. Photo: *Reuters*

Asked what his motivation was for getting Man City back to the final after two years, the Spaniard added: "There is no such thing as failure in football. Admitting defeat is like saying the opponent is worthless or not playing well. When we win, we can celebrate and be moderate. When we lose, we can cry a little and then go back to training the next day. If we try, we never fail."

Guardiola has led teams to 10 Champions League semi-finals, and he is about to take part in the fourth final of his career. When asked about the defeats, the 52-year-old coach said: "What is unfair to me is fair to Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid or Barca. The Champions League has brought me heartbreaking defeats, which I will never forget. But this tournament also has beautiful memories that I will remember forever. Football is like that, we can be hungry, but we are not allowed to be greedy."

Man City will face Inter on Saturday 10 June at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul, Türkiye, with the aim of completing the treble. But Guardiola believes the team's preparation will be no different to previous matches. "We will approach the game the same way we do in midweek, making sure the players stay focused and don't think about anything else," added the former Barca and Bayern coach.

Man City have a great chance to win the Champions League for the first time, as well as players like Erling Haaland, Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan. Man City currently has only one player who has won the Champions League, reserve goalkeeper Scott Carson with Liverpool 18 years ago.

Hoang An

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