Pep Guardiola's explanation for Sadio Mane striking Leroy Sane after a record fine was issued
Sadio Mane, a former Liverpool forward, allegedly attacked his Bayern Munich teammate Leroy Sane following their 3-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg loss to Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola believes Sadio Mane's altercation with Bayern Munich teammate Leroy Sane demonstrated that 'conflict' is sometimes necessary in football - and the Manchester City manager believes it might help galvanize the German side in their effort to overcome a first-leg deficit.
In the previous week's Champions League quarter-final match, City easily defeated the Bundesliga leaders. Guardiola's team leads the second leg at the Allianz Arena 3-0 thanks to goals from Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and Erling Haaland.
The host's advantage resulted in a dispute between Mane and Sane on the field late in the game, which grew heated when they retreated to the dressing room. Mane, a former Liverpool forward, is accused of punching Sane, an ex-City winger.
a variety of reports, teammates intervened to separate the players, leaving Sane with a bruised lip. Mane was left out of Bayern Munich's squad for the weekend's Bundesliga match against Hoffenheim.
Guardiola was asked about the incident during his news conference before of the second leg, and he admitted that he fears it would help unite Thomas Tuchel's team.
"Absolutely, sometimes conflict is necessary to bring a team closer together," Guardiola remarked. "It will be a strong point against us, not a weak point."
"I know this club perfectly, and I can imagine the situation against City; we play there, and the players will do their best," Guardiola continued.
"Bayern will give it their all on Wednesday, but I know what happened there."
"If we had lost 3-0 and didn't win today, and there was some conflict, the team would say it's a final for us, and we know exactly what we have to do, and we will do it."
According to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, Mane, who has scored 11 goals for Bayern this season after joining from Liverpool in the summer, was fined more than £260,000, a club record. According to Plettenburg, "according to our information, it is an amount that goes far beyond €300,000 (£260,000), so it's a very, very sensitive fine for Mane."
Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel stated that such incidents will not be accepted by his club, but that the problem has now been rectified.
"It was a serious incident, and it was critical that it was cleared before the next training session," he explained. "I've known Sadio for many years; he's a consummate professional." He's never been in a scenario like that before. He is focused on football, and he has my complete trust. Everyone has the right to make an error.
"This was excessive - he apologized, and I believe him." It was critical that he stay in training, but he has been suspended and will be fined. I'm not sure where the money will go; it will be decided by the club and the player. It is not my top priority.
"It would be nice if what happened in the locker room stayed in the locker room." We don't need scenarios like that to demonstrate that our squad is still alive. Such behavior is not tolerated.
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