In their ‘Confidencial’ section on Thursday, Sport report Pep Guardiola invited some old Barcelona connections over to watch the match against FC Basel at the Etihad.
Manchester City had pretty much secured their progression during the first leg, and Basel ran out 2-1 winners in the return, but Guardiola used the opportunity to bring some friends to see how he’s getting on.
Sport say the Manchester City manager invited former Barcelona president Joan Laporta, Johan Cruyff’s widow Danny, and also the widow of former Barca director Armand Carabén.
The Catalan newspaper explain it was Armand Carabén who travelled to Amsterdam in 1973 to secure the signing of Cruyff, which subsequently played a huge part in the shaping of Barcelona’s philosophy.
A long time down the road the transfer is having an impact on Manchester City, with Guardiola taking a huge inspiration from the Dutchman and his football outlook.
The group were flown over on a private jet, after Guardiola sent out the invitation.
