Manchester City in the Champions League final: "Guardiola brings a lot of serenity to the group" for Abidal

Ten years of waiting to finally find the continental summits.

Winner of the Champions League in 2009 and 2011 with FC Barcelona, ​​Pep Guardiola had not tasted the joys of a final of the most prestigious of European competitions since his coronation obtained on the Wembley lawn against Manchester United, the May 28, 2011. Holder that evening, Eric Abidal was part of this Catalan team which dominated Europe in football.

The former French international has agreed to return to the philosophy of his former coach, now Manchester City coach, before the final against Chelsea this Saturday evening (9 p.m.).

Pep Guardiola's last Champions League final dates back ten years, with Barça.

You were part of this team.

How do you explain this long wait between two finals?

ERIC ABIDAL.

It just proves that winning the Champions League is something that is not easy, as Pep Guardiola is in the top 3 of the best coaches in the world. Arriving at Manchester City, the players had to agree to the project he wanted to set up and it takes time. It might come as a surprise to many to see him in the Champions League final after ten years of waiting, but those who know football will tell you how difficult it is to win this competition. This long wait is not unique to Guardiola because the project of a club in general revolves first around a championship before, then, to devote itself to winning the Champions League.

What state was Pep Guardiola in before a meeting of this great importance, how did he behave with the players before a Champions League final?

He was someone who brought a lot of serenity to the group, who focused on the small details. Whether it was a small league match or a big Champions League match, the detail preparation remained the same during the week. He knew it was this little detail that could make the difference. In 2009, when you win the Champions League, it's something huge because you eliminate Chelsea in the semi-finals when you should never win. Here too there is the importance of detail thanks to the work done with his staff and maybe that day, that made the difference. He is a worker, and on match day he is a confident person because he knows that if the players put into practice what has been worked out, there is no reason why it should not be. On a physical level, you're supposed to be readytechnically and mentally too.

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If he wins the Champions League, will Pep Guardiola be, in your eyes, the best coach in football history?

It's hard to say because Pep has a different philosophy from a lot of coaches. He has demonstrated for years to the football world that what he has instilled, whether in Barça, Bayern or City, works. What is strong is that he manages to put players who are in a complicated moment in their careers back to the top. It's still a huge job for him and his staff. I place him in the top 3 of the best coaches according to these criteria. It is not enough to win trophies to be considered one of the best coaches in the world, even if winning titles is the reward of hard work. For me, it's time that makes you a great player or a great coach.

Guardiola has long sought the right formula with City, especially in defense. How do you judge this team which seems really solid defensively and collectively?

Already, there has been a change in the philosophy of the game because at one time, Manchester City did not play like this and it is never easy to change the routine, the habits of the players.

This is certainly what explains the changes that have appeared in recruiting.

You have to find the right piece that can fit into your puzzle and Guardiola's strength lies in putting players in positions that make the difference.

This was already the case in Barcelona when he was playing without a number 9, everyone thought he was crazy and he still put in 5-0.

In City, he arrived in a hell of a building site, a club that did not have much history and his personal goal was to be able to leave a real mark of his passage.

How do you see Thomas Tuchel and his development between PSG and Chelsea?

When Tuchel arrived in Paris, the players very quickly adhered to his principles and there was a new dynamic. When he arrived at Chelsea there was a new dynamic and that is certainly what makes Chelsea so lucky. He took advantage of this dynamic to reach the Champions League final. Now, would he have been able to do the same with PSG in the second half of the season? I do not know. But there are still steps to go and it proves that Tuchel, at PSG, has shown that building a team does not happen overnight. And achieving the ultimate goal, either.