EPL

Antonio Conte adds to Pep Guardiola's misery with Julia Roberts meeting admission

By Sports Desk March 18, 2023

Antonio Conte cheekily rubbed salt in Pep Guardiola's wounds by revealing he met the Manchester City manager's "idol" Julia Roberts during his time as Chelsea boss.

Guardiola revealed his admiration for the Hollywood star following City's 7-0 rout of RB Leipzig to reach the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday.

The Catalan coach, though, revealed a personal disappointment that Roberts chose to visit City's rivals Manchester United during a 2016 trip, and said that snub would make him a "failure" regardless of whether his side win the Champions League this season or not.

"I have three idols in my life: Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Julia Roberts. These are my three idols. For obvious reasons, Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods deserve it, and Julia Roberts as well," Guardiola said.

"Julia Roberts, years ago, came to Manchester. Not in the 1990s, when Alex Ferguson win titles, titles, titles and titles. She came in the period when we were better than United, these four or five years.

"And she went to visit Man United. She didn't come to see us. So, even if I win the Champions League, it cannot compare to the fact Julia Roberts came to Manchester and did not come to see us. My idol.

"That's why no matter what happens, even if I win the Champions League, it will not make up for the disappointment I had."

Spurs boss Conte has now added to his rival boss' misery by speaking about his own encounter with the 'Pretty Woman' star.

"Julia Roberts? She also came [to a match] when I was at Chelsea," he said.

"She watched the game and then I had the possibility to show her into the dressing room. 

"It's good that an important person like Julia Roberts likes football. I think it's important for football."

Asked if Guardiola is a "failure", Conte replied: "It's normal for big coaches at important clubs to try to win every competition, and we know very well for Pep – one of the most important coaches in the world – the importance of winning the Champions League after seven years with Manchester City.

"During your career, sometimes failure is part of your job and it pushes you to become stronger and make yourself better. 

"For the big coaches, the expectation is to lift a trophy. It's the same for me here, and if we don't lift a trophy the first responsibility falls on the coach. I know the expectations of myself are really high."

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    The two neighbouring rivals clash in the Wembley showpiece for the first time on Saturday with more than a trophy and local bragging rights at stake.

    For Premier League winners City victory could be the second leg of a potentially glorious treble with the final of the Champions League to come next week.

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    United boss Erik ten Hag, however, has played down the party-pooping aspect of his side’s task.

    The Dutchman has enjoyed an encouraging first season at Old Trafford having won the Carabao Cup and reclaimed a Champions League spot.

    “I know what is the thinking from the fans,” Ten Hag said.

    “But what we want is to restore Manchester United by winning trophies. We have an opportunity to win a trophy and we don’t want to be distracted by anything.

    “If it’s important for the fans then it’s important for us, so we will give everything to win the cup.”

    Guardiola insists the treble is not part of his thinking yet. He has spent the week preparing to face United and will switch focus to playing Inter Milan in Istanbul next week.

    “We didn’t speak once about Inter these days,” he said. “We’ll have Sunday off, and after we’ll have three or four days training.

    “We’ll introduce what we believe Inter are, to try to beat them, then. We have time. Saturday to Saturday is a long time to prepare for a game.

    “United and the FA Cup deserve the full attention and commitment. The players are completely aware of that.”

    City could have a fully-fit squad with Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji, who all missed last week’s game at Brentford, having since returned to training.

    Guardiola has confirmed second-choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will start, as he has in all domestic cup fixtures this season.

    United are without striker Anthony Martial due to a hamstring injury and winger Antony is also a major doubt.

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    Pep Guardiola has promised Manchester City fans his side will “give everything” to beat rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

    The neighbouring clubs clash in the competition’s Wembley showpiece for the first time as the domestic season reaches a mouth-watering climax on Saturday.

    There is plenty of incentive for City as they look to claim the second leg of the treble and move a step closer to matching United’s 1999 haul of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies.

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    He said: “I will ask to our fans, behave properly first and, secondly, go there to enjoy an incredible event, knowing the players will give everything to beat Man United.

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    The fact City are bidding for the treble could also give United extra motivation, however, as they not only look for a derby cup triumph but to preserve the uniqueness of their club’s own achievement 24 years ago.

    “I could understand that, it belongs to them,” said Guardiola. “That’s normal. Sport is like that. It’s completely understandable.

    “But it’s a football game. Who will be better will win.”

    After an intensive schedule in the closing weeks of the Premier League season, City have had a full week to prepare of the fixture.

    Guardiola even had time to attend a Sir Elton John concert in Manchester while some of the players went to watch Coldplay at the Etihad Stadium.

    The City boss has no doubt the mental break has done his players good.

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    “They’ve trained really good these last two training sessions. There’s a good mood in the locker room and on the pitch.

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