Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola thanked Roberto Baggio for bringing him luck in Champions League finals as the legendary former Azzurri striker watched Manchester City put his former club Inter to the sword in Istanbul on Saturday night.
Baggio has now been present in the stadium for all three of Guardiola’s wins in Champions League finals, having watched from the stands as Barcelona beat Manchester United twice within three seasons in Rome and at Wembley in 2009 and 2011 respectively.
Guardiola and Baggio’s playing careers briefly overlapped when they both were contracted to Bresica in the 2001-02 season.
Addressing the media in Italian in the aftermath of City’s triumph on Saturday night, Guardiola was quick to point out that Baggio had become somewhat of a lucky charm for him and hoped that he will be able to attend City’s next major final as well.
“First of all, I’m really happy that Roberto Baggio was here with Gianni Infantino,” Guardiola said on Saturday night. “And it’s really pleasing that Roberto was also there in Rome and at Wembley when we won the Champions League (with Barcelona), so next time I hope that he accompanies me again.”
Guardiola went on to hail Inter as one of, if not the toughest opponents of the three sides he has previously faced in Champions League finals.
“I know I like to put pressure on the other teams, being the underdogs is good, but they are so strong,” he said of Inter.
“I know they are strong in all departments. Onana, when they play long with Lautaro and Dzeko, of course Lukaku in the end with his legs. Dumfries, Dimarco they move so well to attack the space. Barella and Calhanoglu with their togetherness and quality, they have shown everything that they deserve to be in the final of the Champions League.”
Guardiola appreciated the fact that Inter will be disappointed to have not come away with the trophy on Saturday night, although was adamant that they dust themselves down and go again next season.
He told the press: “They will be sad, of course, like we were two years ago, but that’s how it goes and they will try again next year. Congratulations, because they played exactly as well as I thought they would.”