Pep Guardiola reveals Thomas Tuchel conversation following Champions League final loss to Chelsea | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reflected on his side’s 1-0 loss to Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea in the Champions League final in 2021.

The Premier League champions are set to welcome Bayern Munich to the Etihad Stadium for the opening leg of their Champions League quarter final tie on Tuesday evening.

City gained significant ground in the title race at the weekend by seeing off Southampton in a 4-1 win at St. Mary’s whilst league leaders Arsenal were held to an enthralling 2-2 draw by Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Guardiola’s side remain in the running to claim their third successive league title alongside upcoming Champions League and FA Cup knockout ties, with all to play for in the business end of the season.

The focus shifts to Europe for the Blues when Thomas Tuchel, who recently replaced Julian Nagelsmann as Bayern Munich boss, leads the German giants against familiar opposition reach the last four of the Champions League campaign.

Tuchel took over the reigns from Frank Lampard at Chelsea two years ago and spearheaded the west Londoners to their second Champions League title in his first season at Stamford Bridge, beating City in the final in Lisbon.

Ahead of Tuesday’s touchline showdown against the 49-year-old, Guardiola was asked about City’s crushing defeat to Tuchel-led Chelsea in his side’s maiden Champions League final.

“Yes, I congratulated him (Tuchel). It happens, you lose games, you win games, you lose games,” Guardiola said.

“We (City) lost it (Champions League final against Chelsea in 2021), we are here again, we’ll try it again, and the world will turn again, and again. Nothing is going to change.”

Guardiola was further quizzed about his reaction to Bayern Munich parting ways with Nagelsmann in March, a decision which sent shock waves across the world of football.

“No, I was surprised a little bit when Julian Nagelsmann was sacked,” the Manchester City boss said.

“But of course, (Thomas) Tuchel is one of the best, maybe the best manager, one of the best for sure and has done really well everywhere; in Germany, in Paris, in England. So it’s a pleasure to see him again.”

Manchester City have won eight games on the spin heading into the first leg of the Champions League quarter final and confidence will be brimming in the dressing room ahead of Tuesday’s blockbuster clash between two of the competition’s strongest sides.