Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola enjoyed watching the Champions League last-16 without any involvement
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Julian Alvarez
Julian Alvarez slips when taking his penalty against Real Madrid
(Image: Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola loved watching the Champions League knockout rounds on the sofa for the first time since he was on sabbatical in 2013. The Manchester City manager failed to qualify for the last-16 for the first time in his career but had no pity about watching teams that are better than his current side.
Guardiola is an avid watcher of elite sport and did not miss the opportunity to tune into his beloved Barcelona, but there were also top clashes between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain and the Madrid derby. Two of the four sides helped to knock City out of Europe, but Guardiola does not need telling how fine the margins are in the Champions League.
For the pain he and City have endured, the manager felt none over the last few weeks because he has accepted that his team simply weren't good enough to be at the level. Over the next year, they have to improve to make sure that they are not watching this stage next season with alcohol on their couch.
"It doesn't hurt. I don't' have any disappointment. We don't deserve to be there," he said. "Enjoy football for the fantastic games. I am just a spectator to learn and enjoy. I don't have any feeling that it's a pity to be out.
"There are incredible teams like Atletico, Liverpool who are out. This competition, what happened with Julian [Alvarez] and Atletico - the margins. Can you imagine you are out of the Champions League for that reason? Atletico were brilliant with the style they played against Madrid but look at that and seasons being good or bad are judged on that.
"Look at Liverpool - they made all the points and the CEO is happy because they made a lot of money in the group stage and the draw puts them against PSG and the best player in Paris was Allison and the best player in Anfield was [Gianluigi] Donnarumma.
"How do you judge that? Liverpool made a fantastic game in Anfield, Paris made an incredible game in Paris and suffered the first 15 minutes of each half. After, for a little detail, you are out. This competition - we suffered it for the past many many times.
"Nobody has to explain to me how special it is but this season we deserved to be on the sofa with a glass of wine. Hopefully we can do better, qualify to be there on the pitch - not the sofa."