da bet7： The Manchester City manager tends to tweak his tactics in big games, something that has been costly over the years

da 888： Pep Guardiola isn't necessarily a serial overthinker, but in big games, he has a history of overcomplicating and self-sabotaging. Stretching back to his time at Bayern Munich, Pep's penchant for tinkering has seen his sides lose important contests, or crash out of competitions despite being clear favourites.

And it's been particularly bad in the Champions League. While it is hard to criticise the tactical choices of a serial winner, Guardiola's blunders have repeatedly cost his teams on Europe's biggest stage. As a result, he hasn't won the competition at either Bayern Munich or Man City. And while the Citizens are clear favourites over Inter in Saturday's Champions League final, there will always be a slither of doubt about his team selection or tactical set-up.

So, when has it all gone wrong? And which infamous overthinks have been the worst? GOAL ranks the manager's most memorable tactical blunders on the big stage…

Getty6Leaving Muller out against Atletico (2016 semi-final first leg)

Atletico Madrid were a very good team when Guardiola's Bayern Munich lined up against them in the 2016 semi-final, and Pep's tactical decisions made sense. With Diego Simeone's side effectively playing four centre-midfielders, Guardiola brought in Thiago Alcantara for Thomas Muller to give the Bavarians more control in the middle of the park in the first leg.
Instead, he walked right into a trap. Atleti were happy to kill the game in the middle, and Bayern didn't have room to breathe. Robert Lewandowski, meanwhile, was relatively easily handled by Atleti's centre-backs. Bayern lost 1-0 despite having 74 per cent possession. And while they won the second leg – notably, with Muller back in the side – the Bavarians went out on away goals.

Advertisement5Man-to-man against MSN (2015 semi-final first leg)

It was, in reality, Lionel Messi's brilliance that saw Bayern lose this tie. But Guardiola went for an odd tactical decision, opting to play three centre-backs against his former club Barcelona, and attempting to man-mark Neymar, Luis Suarez and Messi. Bayern were run ragged from the outset and should have been three down after 20 minutes.

In fairness, the Bavarians stayed alive, but three goals in the last 15 minutes – from Messi and Neymar – saw the tie ended at Camp Nou on Guardiola's return. The Blaugrana were the best team in Europe by some distance that year, and were heavy favourites on the night. Still, Guardiola didn't do himself many favours.

4Double overthink in Spurs loss (2019 quarter-final)

The tie in which Guardiola overthought not once, but twice. In fairness, Man City's loss to Tottenham in 2019 was cruel. Pep's side were hurt by a dubious Fernando Llorente goal and late VAR drama in an incredibly dramatic tie.

Still, it really shouldn't have been close. In the first leg, Guardiola switched formation, opting for a 4-2-3-1 and benching Kevin De Bruyne – despite the Belgian having no obvious fitness issue. Spurs enjoyed the better chances on the night, with Son Heung-min scoring the only goal.

And in the return leg, Guardiola went attacking. He moved back to a 4-3-3, brought De Bruyne back, and moved Ilkay Gundogan to a defensive midfield role. And although City commanded possession, they were vulnerable defensively – something Spurs took advantage of, scoring three times at the Etihad and winning on away goals to cap off a Champions League classic.

Laurence Griffiths3Dropping Sterling against Liverpool (2018 quarter final, first leg)

Man City were battered at Anfield in the first leg of the 2018 quarter-final, losing 3-0 to a rampant Liverpool side. And they effectively lost the tie after 40 minutes.

Guardiola's personnel decisions cost him dearly this time. He left out in-form Raheem Sterling, gearing his side to attack the young Trent Alexander-Arnold on the Liverpool right. Alexander-Arnold, though, turned in a solid performance, and without Sterling, City didn't have an obvious outlet on the other wing.

Meanwhile, new boy Ayemeric Laporte was deployed at left-back, where he was run ragged by Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool press did the rest, and City fell 5-1 on aggregate.