Guardiola explains Sarri’s non-handshake after City humiliate Chelsea

Posted Monday, February 11, 2019 by squawka.com

Pep Guardiola has played down Maurizio Sarri's lack of a handshake at the end of Manchester City's emphatic win over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The Citizens demolished Chelsea in a 6-0 drubbing with a hat-trick from Sergio Aguero, a Raheem Sterling double and Ilkay Gundogan strike doing the damage.

Disrespectful or honest mistake? Guardiola explains Sarri's non-handshake...

1. City beat Chelsea 6-0 at the Etihad on Sunday, inflicting Chelsea's worst-ever Premier League defeat.
2. At the end of the game, Guardiola approached Sarri to give the customary handshake between the managers.
3. Sarri, though, appeared to ignore the Catalan and stormed straight down the tunnel.
4. Guardiola, however, has insisted he has spoken to Chelsea coach Gianfranco Zola, who confirmed Sarri "didn't see" his opposite number.

Following the final whistle, Guardiola approached Sarri to shake his hand, but the Italian seemingly ignored the gesture and walked straight down the tunnel.

However, Guardiola has insisted he has spoken to Chelsea assistant manager, Gianfranco Zola, who said Sarri simply "didn't see" the Catalan approaching him.

"No, I spoke with Gianfranco Zola. He [Sarri] didn't see me," Guardiola said in a post-match interview with Sky Sports.

Sarri almost moved to quash any suggestion that he had intentionally avoided Guardiola.

"I didn't see him at the time but I will go to say hello to him later, as usual," the Italian stated in his post-match press conference.

City's win has put them back above Liverpool at the top of the Premier League on goal difference, although the Reds do have a game in hand.

Guardiola: Pressure doesn't exist for us

Following Chelsea's heaviest defeat in Premier League history, many would forgive Sarri for feeling the pressure right now, with the Blues slipping to sixth in the Premier League table.

Guardiola, however, is feeling nothing of the sort and insists that he and his players are in too much of a privileged position to consider themselves under too much pressure.

"The pressure doesn't exist," Guardiola responded when asked if he is feeling the heat.

"Which kind of pressure must the players feel? Play like a team and you will win - perfect - if you don't win we are going to try next season.

"We are privileged to be football players or managers. They have to try to do their best, that is what I demand of them. Too many troubles happen all around the world to think that you have the pressure."

City travel to Newport County in the FA Cup on Saturday as their quest for a quadruple continues.