“The only reason why” – Guardiola confirms why Kyle Walker is not in Manchester City starting lineup for Champions League final

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has justified his decision to include Kyle Walker on the bench for the Champions League final against Inter Milan on Saturday (June 10).

The Spaniard said he wanted the team to defend in a different way against Serie A. So. Guardiola decided to name four players at the back: Manuel Akanji, Robin Dias, John Stones and Nathan Ake.

Speaking to BT ahead of the final at Ataturk Stadium, the hat-trick-winning City boss said:

“There could be; it was really difficult. For the way we want to defend and attack, we need another kind of player. The only reason for that.”

Walker made 38 appearances for Manchester City this season. However, he did not make it to the first starting line-up for the Champions League final, as he started on the bench against the Nerazzurri. Fans were a little stunned by Guardiola’s choice, as Inter are known for their speedy attacks.

Walker’s pace could have been a huge benefit to the Premier League champions. However, the 33-year-old could still play a role off the bench.

Here is City’s starting line-up for the match against Inter Milan:

Ederson Moraes (goalkeeper). Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Robin Dias, Nathan Ake (defenders). Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne (centre). Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland (Forwards)

“Messi was in the past and Haaland is now” – Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola before the Champions League final

Pep Guardiola is close to leading Manchester City to their first Champions League title. A victory in Istanbul would also mark a historic treble-winning season for the Cityzens.

Guardiola won the treble with Barcelona in the 2008-09 season. He also had a trophy-filled spell at Bayern Munich. The Spaniard conquered English football with City. Speaking of the secret sauce to his massive success, Guardiola said (via Republic World):

“Have good players! Having Messi in the past and having Haaland now, that’s my success. I’m not kidding, it’s the truth! Let them feel that they alone can’t do it, make them feel that we are together, strong with the same idea.”

“The people who follow me will be here… Every coach who has achieved success has strong organizations, and strong organizations have strong players. Let me tell you; as a coach, I never score.”

Manchester City faces a stern test against Inter Milan in the Champions League final, as coach Simone Inzaghi’s team is not one to overlook. Nerazzurri is aiming to win their first Champions League since the 2009-10 triumph at the Santiago Bernabéu and their fourth overall.