I am a Barcelona fan to the core, a Barcelonan at heart and on Saturday I wanted Inter Milan to reach extra time (it seemed fair to me). I have, or am, a problem: why, being from Barça and with two great friends who are friends –in turn– of Pep Guardiola, wasn't I defending that 1-0 score and asking for the time?
Unlike many guardiolistas, no one has to tell me about their merits. I have lived them. The great Ramon Besa introduced me to Santpedor in an anthology report about his hard beginnings, when he alternated between the first team and the Miniestadi, where many curmudgeonly partners dedicated themselves to sinking the kids. I celebrated his 92 gold in situ. I attended his farewell at the Camp Nou out of love for a great midfielder. And I admired his promotion from the subsidiary at the Nou Sardenya, his first year as a coach. I can't forget the contagious enthusiasm of him and the boy that morning...
The distancing came with the procés, the wasteful process. Guardiola retweeted, accepted and never apologized for the fake that in Barcelona the Spanish police, like Nazis, had broken all the fingers of a young woman one by one. Between truth and nationalism, he chose nationalism...
Nor did the attempt to “politicize” our football with the yellow ribbon help, intellectually, which he resigned as soon as he was reminded that it is in England –and not in Spain– where ideological propaganda in Spain is most persecuted –and that is not censorship. the stadiums.
Pep Guardiola is the only pro-independence supporter with world prestige, hence what annoys the sports press in Madrid and that somewhat annoying botafumeiro of some here. But from an idyllic Republic to celebrating City winning the Champions League as if it were Barça... No fotem, ma'am!
That said, Guardiola has made football better, which we are so passionate about. And with the intelligence in this Champions League to be prudent against Madrid and Inter to achieve what is essential: victory, which does him justice. Many hours of giving coconut, selfless dedication and a privileged football intelligence, which he already had in the long-awaited Mini. A lifetime (and wait!). The best coach in the world.
