Javi Martinez explianed differences between Guardiola and Ancelotti

Former

player Javi Martinez has examined the differences between Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola before the Champions League clash between

and

.

Ancelotti's team travels to Manchester to face Manchester City tonight at Etihad Stadium. The Italian has become the first coach in history to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League in four decades, while Guardiola is aiming for the second consecutive final. Martinez played for Bayern Munich under both coaches and examined their differences.

“To me, they are the best representatives of their generations. Of all Ancelotti’s colleagues, no one is left in business now. Pep is the best coach of this generation, including Luis Enrique, Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino and Klopp. People who have changed football. They are all very different from Ancelotti.

“Guardiola has a unique way of analysing football. He can foresee what happens on the pitch.

“You play knowing what you have to do and what the opposing team will do. It’s a huge advantage. Add his tactics and pressing schemes and Pep becomes almost unbeatable.

“I had a close bond with him because we speak the same language, but the rapport with Carlo was different. He is like a father, he cares so much about his players. Pep is more rigid and more focused on video analysis, but a team needs discipline. Pep had more control than Carlo, nothing huge, but it was noticeable.”

“The fact that Carlo is still there, fighting for a big target, elevates him to the Olympus of the history of football, it says a lot about how great he is and how well he works.

“He is a smart coach, he perfectly knows football. He returned to Madrid, giving a new life to a team that had lost Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane after Ronaldo. People were sceptical, but he is close to winning La Liga and has reached the Champions League semis.

“Carlo knows what teams need. When I am asked who is the best coach in the world, I always say Guardiola, but for a player, it’s important to work with coaches who know how to get the best out of you and I’ve never felt as good as under Carlo. Not only in footballing terms but also personally. I believe he is the best of all.”

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