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Letting guard down

Barcelona 4 Manchester City 0: Pep Guardiola lost on every return to Spain — and his sides have not scored a single goal

Bayern Munich lost to Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico and Spaniard's currently club follow suit with Nou Camp mauling

PEP GUARDIOLA is a Barcelona legend, who made his name as player and manager in Catalonia.

He won 47 Spain caps and scored five goals — but has had a horrible return since leaving.

 Pep Guardiola has endured four disastrous returns to Spain since leaving Barcelona
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Pep Guardiola has endured four disastrous returns to Spain since leaving BarcelonaCredit: EPA

After four glorious years as Barcelona boss, Guardiola took a sabbatical before taking over as manager of Bayern Munich.


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He has returned to Spain at least once in every season since leaving and has lost every match — and his sides have failed to register a single goal.

Here is the damning record.

Real Madrid 2013-14: 0-1

 Karim Benzema's goal seals a 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich for Real Madrid
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Karim Benzema's goal seals a 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich for Real MadridCredit: PA:Press Association

THIS is a regular tie in the knock-out phases.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side comfortably contained their possession-obsesses opponents and saw out the match 1-0 after Karim Benzema’s 19th-minute strike.

The tie was very much still in the balance as Bayern welcome Real Madrid, but the hosts were quickly taken apart.

Los Blancos won 4-0 on the night to progress to their first final for 12 years.

Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace apiece.

Barcelona 2014-15: 0-3

 Lionel Messi delicately lobs Manuel Neuer after a sensational solo run to make it 2-0
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Lionel Messi delicately lobs Manuel Neuer after a sensational solo run to make it 2-0Credit: Demotix Images

ONE of the lowest points of Guardiola’s career.

This was one of the most highly-anticipated matches in recent memory with both in incredible form.

However, Pep’s first return to the Nou Camp ended in a brutal defeat, with Lionel Messi in inspiring form — netting two sensational goals.

His second left one of the best defenders in the world in Jerome Boateng on his backside, before delicately lobbing the ball over the game’s No.1 goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer.

Bayern eventually won a topsy-turvy affair at the Allianz Arena 3-2, but it wasn’t enough.

Atletico Madrid 2015-16: 0-1

 Saul Niguez and Atletico Madrid celebrate after taking the lead against Bayern Munich
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Saul Niguez and Atletico Madrid celebrate after taking the lead against Bayern MunichCredit: Getty Images

IT WAS well-known that this would be Guardiola’s final season at Bayern — and he was determined to go out with success.

With favourites Barcelona already eliminated, this was a fantastic opportunity.

However, Diego Simeone’s tactics stopped Bayern and Saul Niguez’s goal put the tie on a knife-edge ahead of the second leg in Munich.

Xabi Alonso opened the scoring for the German side and Thomas Muller looked to put Guardiola’s men in control, but his penalty was saved.

Antoine Griezmann’s away goal then turned the tie around. But there was still more drama as Robert Lewandowski set up a grandstand finish, before Fernando Torres missed a spot-kick for Atletico.

Barcelona 2016-17: 0-4

 Lionel Messi netted a sensational hat-trick as Barcelona hammered Manchester City
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Lionel Messi netted a sensational hat-trick as Barcelona hammered Manchester CityCredit: Getty Images

ANYTHING that could go wrong did go wrong here.

Messi waltzed through the Manchester City defence at will and scored a hat-trick.

Claudio Bravo’s sending off for the away side made a difficult task even harder.

And Neymar put the icing on the cake with arguably the goal of the night with a minute remaining.

But things could have been even worse for City as the Brazilian had earlier seen his spot-kick saved.

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