Manchester City: Pep Guardiola sends many coded messages

Guardiola sends a message to a struggling striker.

Much has been said about the two mistakes that Los Blancos center-back Raphaël Varane made that led to both Manchester City’s goals.

It was likely the 26-year old Frenchman’s worst game of his career.

Pep sent another couple of messages when asked about Varane’s mistakes to his forward Gabriel Jesus.

The analytical manager stated that Jesus was the “man of the two matches” and that “big players have to show in big games.”

These are true statements.

Gabriel Jesus, who was one of the worst finishers in the Premier League with a goal chance conversion rate of -3.7, drew a penalty in the first leg in Madrid, forced Varane into two crucial mistakes, assisted in the primary goal, and converted the last to clinch the victory.

It was Jesus’ work rate that generated those mistakes. It may surprise readers to know that Varane committed zero errors with the ball in the regular season and led the club in clearances.

Manchester City’s managers’ messages were clear. He threw it out like a boomerang twice in the video call.

One, Gabriel, you were the man of the match for us. Bravo!

Two, with Sergio Agüero out, I need you to step it up and convert like the lethal striker you can be.