Pep Guardiola did not take too kindly to a question about Jose Mourinho in his press conference ahead of his side’s Champions League tie in Lyon.
A french journalist firstly quizzed Guardiola on whether would be prepared to adopt a defensive approach in European games before following up by asking who was the better manager between him and old rival.The Manchester City boss jokingly responded with an exasperated sigh and clenched fist directed at the reporter before offering up his answer.
“I am not the guy to answer that” he simply responded.
Guardiola and Manchester United boss Mourinho have had a long standing rivalry going back to their time in Spain managing Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.
The feud between the two has often been defined by their contrasting tactical approaches, with the former considered more proactive and the latter more pragmatic. On whether he would ever adopt a more cautious approach in the competition, he was more forthcoming.
“Nobody has a guaranteed way of playing to win the Champions League.
“Nobody can assure me playing a defensive way will win.
“Not even the way we play will win the Champions League.
“All we can do, is play the way we want to play, and that is all i can assure you”
City can seal qualification to the knockout stages with a draw at the Groupama Stadium, while a win will confirm they go through as group winners.However, Lyon handed Guardiola’s team their first and only defeat in all competitions so far this season in the opening game of this year’s competition.
Goals from Maxwel Cornet and Nabil Fekir secured a shock 2-1 win at the Etihad for the French side.
Despite his natural attacking instincts, Guardiola is wary of the threat posed by the opposition.