Pep Guardiola got tongues wagging after his cryptic pose with his staff and friends celebrating Champions League semifinal win over Real Madrid.
The Citizens humbled the reigning European champions with an emphatic 4-0 win at Etihad to progress to their second Champions League final in the club’s history.
David Silva’s brace and Manuel Akanji’s goal cleared the coast for the Champions League, FA Cup, and Premier League title hopefuls to cruise to a comfortable win.
Julian Alvarez sealed the win with a stoppage-time goal to condemn Real Madrid to one of their biggest Champions League defeat.
The Premier League champions progressed to the final on a 5-1 aggregate win while the 14-times Champions League winners were hit with Pep Guardiola’s revenge axe after the latter lost last year’s semifinal to the European giants.
Manchester City will now tackle Serie A giants Inter Milan in the final on June 10 in Istanbul, Turkey.
After the emphatic victory, Manuel Estiarte, who is said to be a close friend of Pep Guardiola, took to his social media handle to post a cryptic and satirical pic of Pep Guardiola and his friends celebrating the win.
In the picture, Guardiola, Manuel Estiarte, and others could be seen raising their four fingers to reference the 4-0 win over Real Madrid.
According to reports, the photo was taken in a private room at Etihad with big names such as Mauricio Macri (former President of Argentina), Kaldoon Al Mubarak (Manchester City Chairman), and Pere (Pep Guardiola’s brother) present.
All of them pointed out their four fingers smiling as they pose for a shot with some standing while others were on seat.
Apart from a routine normal celebration after football victory, the four fingers celebration was of immense significance for Pep Guardiola after the win over Real Madrid.
In 2010, former Barcelona player, who played under Pep Guardiola, Gerard Pique, celebrated Barcelona’s 5-0 win over Real Madrid raising his five fingers to reference all the goals that was scored in the game.
Since then, the four fingers celebration has become iconic especially in the El-Clasico.
Real Madrid fans were quick to blast Pep Guardiola for the celebration. A fan wrote, “I hope they lose the final so they can keep those four fingers where they can best.”
Another fan endorsed Inter Milan to win the final. He wrote, “Vamos Inter.”
Another wrote, ” If they put a 1 before, they will be able to understand the greatness of Real Madrid. 14 Champions…. The hangover from 4 to 0 passes tomorrow but acheiving 14 Champions will never be seen by your eyes.”
Following a heavy backlash by the fans, Manuel Estiarte later deleted the picture but the eagle-eyed fans had already spotted it and made their feelings known.
Manchester City harvested a pound of flesh from the Los Blancos after last year’s narrow semifinal defeat.
The Premier League champions are tipped to win the 2022/23 Champions League as they prepare to battle Inter Milan next month at the Ataturk Stadium.
