Facing the media for the first time since the Premier League charges in a news conference on Friday, Guardiola had a choice between staying quiet, regurgitating the clubs’ statement, or launching an impassioned defence.
He chose the latter, and it seemed to whip up sentiments from the City fans who came to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The team bus was greeted with blue flairs and chants of “City going down with a billion in the bank” — a reference to the possibility that City could be relegated if they are found guilty of more than 100 breaches of financial rules.
As soon as the game kicked off, there were also chants in support of Guardiola and owner Sheikh Mansour.
As fans booed the Premier League anthem ahead of kick-off, there was even a banner unfurled that read “Pannick on the streets of London” in a nod to Lord Pannick KC, the £5,000-an-hour lawyer hired to defend the club against the Premier League’s allegations.
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After Rodri had given City an early lead, he stood in front of the fans beating the badge on his chest with his fist and urging them to make more noise.
Guardiola, who was critical of fans’ lack of passion last month, will hope his team can keep hold of their “us against the world” mentality for the rest of the title race.
