Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola made a notable trip to Italy on Sunday, visiting his former club Brescia and seemingly opting to skip watching title rivals Arsenal in the north London derby.
Guardiola's Italian Excursion
After guiding his side to a 2-1 victory over Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday, the former midfielder flew to Italy to watch Brescia take on Pro Patria in a Serie C match. The game, which Brescia won 3-2 in a dramatic encounter, coincided with Arsenal's 4-1 triumph over Tottenham, a result that saw the Gunners extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points.
Snubbing the Derby
Despite the significance of Arsenal's match, Guardiola was not swayed, instead enjoying his day out in Italy. He was seen smiling, watching the game intently, and meeting players and staff at the Stadio Mario Rigamonti stadium. Dressed in a flat cap and grey jacket, Guardiola was given a tour of the venue before settling down to observe the action.
The official Serie C Instagram account shared photos of the visit, with a caption that read: 'Pep snubs Arsenal, goes to watch Brescia.' This highlighted the manager's clear preference for supporting his old club over monitoring his Premier League competitors.
Guardiola's History with Brescia
Guardiola played for Brescia between 2001 and 2002, and again in 2003, before going on to become a legend at Barcelona. His visit was a nostalgic return to a club that holds a special place in his career. Brescia, who were in Italy's top division as recently as the 2019-20 season, have faced challenges since and are currently second in Serie C as they aim for promotion back to Serie B.
The club is also notable for nurturing talents like Andrea Pirlo, who came through its academy, and former players such as Luca Toni. Guardiola's presence at the game underscored his ongoing connection to the team and its legacy.
This move by Guardiola adds an intriguing layer to the Premier League title race, as Manchester City continue to chase Arsenal. By choosing to watch Brescia instead of the north London derby, Guardiola demonstrated a focus on personal ties and perhaps a strategic distance from immediate rival analysis, sparking discussions among football fans and analysts alike.
