Fans think Pep Guardiola is ‘overthinking’ again with one Man City XI decision

Concerned Manchester City fans are worried Pep Guardiola has been "overthinking" his starting XI once again.

The Catalan has a date with history against Inter Milan in the Champions League Final. City have the opportunity to become only the second Premier League side to win the Treble and to emulate the 1999 achievement of fiercest rivals Manchester United.

Guardiola has revolutionised football in the United Kingdom ever since he moved to the Etihad Stadium, but that does not mean he has been without criticism. He was widely slammed for benching both Fernandinho and Rodri when City lost their last Champions League final against Chelsea in 2021.

While the latter has been deployed in front of the back four, some City fans are worried about their starting XI in Istanbul. And that is because the former Barcelona manager has left defensive stalwart and England international Kyle Walker on the bench.

Read More: 'I swapped FHM covers for my dream job – now I see what Haaland and Pep are really like'

The former Tottenham Hotspur defender has been one of the most important players for the club over the last few years. Walker played both legs of City's semi-final victory against Real Madrid and also impressed in their FA Cup Final triumph over United.

However, Guardiola has opted to deploy John Stones and summer signing Stefan Akanji ahead of the 33-year-old. This decision has irked many City fans and left them fearing the worst.

What is your reaction to Pep Guardiola's starting XI? Let us know in the comments section below

“No Walker?, Pray for Pep," one worried City fan wrote on social media. “Walker starting from bench? Lol another beautiful night for Pep to shrink under the brightest light again," one very cynical rival fan added.

“No Kyle Walker? Is Pep overthinking," said another very worried Citizen. Guardiola did explain his decision behind the £50m full back's absence from the starting XI. 

While there were rumours he was not at full fitness, the City boss went out of his way to confirm Walker's omission was not injury related. "He could be there," Guardiola said to BT Sport after the team was confirmed. "It was really tough. For the way we want to defend and attack we need another type of player. The only reason why."

Manchester City's starting XI: Ederson, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Stones, Rodri, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish, Haaland. 

Source: Read Full Article