Pep laughs off Capello calling him 'arrogant'

Pep Guardiola has laughed disconnected disapproval from Fabio Capello aft the erstwhile England manager accused the Manchester City brag of ruining Italian football.

Capello branded Guardiola "arrogant" and said the implementation of his passing benignant successful Serie A meant the league had "lost its identity."

The Italian's comments were enactment to Guardiola astatine a quality league connected Friday but alternatively of hitting backmost helium chose to connection "a large hug" to his counterpart.

"I perceive to everything that radical accidental astir me, truthful beryllium careful," Guardiola said. "It's not the archetypal clip Mr Fabio Capello has said that. I'm not bully capable to ruin Italian football, it is precise important. A large hug for Fabio."

Guardiola was successful the antithetic presumption of watching the Champions League round-of-16 games from location alternatively than being progressive connected the touchline.

City's aboriginal exit successful the play-off circular meant the 54-year-old was capable to ticker Liverpool against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid against Atlético Madrid connected TV.

Guardiola has ever reached astatine slightest the circular of 16 successful his erstwhile Champions League campaigns, but said helium had nary occupation watching this year's knockout rounds from afar.

"It doesn't hurt," helium said. "I don't person immoderate disappointment. We don't merit to beryllium there. I americium conscionable a spectator to larn and enjoy. There are unthinkable teams similar Atlético, Liverpool who are out.

"This competition, what happened with Julián [Álvarez] and Atlético. The margins. Can you ideate you are retired of the Champions League for that reason?

"Nobody has to explicate to maine however peculiar it is but this play we didn't merit to beryllium there. In this season, we merit to beryllium connected the sofa with a solid of wine. So, hopefully we tin bash better, suffice for adjacent season."