How the O’Reilly brace in the Carabao Cup helped Pep Guardiola strike a moment of joyous defiance in a dithering season | Football News
The referee brandished a yellow card at Pep Guardiola. He was oblivious to it, because he was beside the fence, celebrating with the fans the second Nico O’Reilly headed brace. It probably did not matter to him, as he turned back from the revelries and was informed about the card. All that mattered were the goals, the trophy and the glory. Every time O’Reilly slammed into the Arsenal nets, Guardiola rejoiced with the spontaneity of a child. He bounced like the Energizer bunny, clenched his fists and swiped in furious joy. He would later say with sass and savvy, “I wanted another yellow card, that was the target.” “If I cannot celebrate against that team with the way we are playing, then when?” He is often measured in celebrations, not least in the Carabao Cup, a trophy arguably not as prized as the league bowl or the Champions League crown. But sometimes it is about the little moments in life, the backdrop and the bearings that enhance the value of something seemingly insignificant. The Carabao …
