Pep Guardiola may risk his own reputation with Man City vs Atletico Madrid tactics

Pep Guardiola sarcastically addressed his title as an 'overthinker' ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid this week. The City boss has been criticised in the past for a number of his decisions in relation to team selection and tactics ahead of crucial clashes in the competition.

But Guardiola was sardonic in responding to his critics. “In the Champions League, I always overthink. I always create new tactics and ideas, and tomorrow you will see a new one. I overthink a lot; that’s why I have very good results in the Champions League. I love it.

"It would be boring if I always played the same way. If people think I will play the same against Atletico and Liverpool, well, I don’t think like that because the movements from Liverpool are completely different than Atlético – especially because the players are all different.

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“Every player has a mother and father and the mother and father give different personalities to the players. That’s why I love to overthink and create stupid tactics and, when we don’t win, I am punished. Tonight I will take inspiration and I’m going to do incredible tactics tomorrow – we play with 12 tomorrow.”

Although Guardiola’s response was derisory, his comments in relation to varying styles between Atletico and Liverpool are important. Both will have hugely varied approaches to their matches with City. And while Guardiola will be more familiar with Liverpool’s approach, he’ll certainly be wary of Atletico’s.

It’s not clear whether the criticism aimed his way might impact how he approaches the game, but you’d expect City to maintain the same dominating style that they do