Guardiola returns home to a new challenge

 

Pep Guardiola's return to Barcelona in their upcoming Champions League clash has been billed as the continuation of a rivalry between himself and close friend Luis Enrique.
The former Blaugrana coach has not won a competitive fixture at the Camp Nou since quitting the club as manager back in 2012, most notably losing 3-0 back in 2014 in the semi-final stage of the competition while still in charge of Bayern Munich.
The circumstances are different now.
With both sides favourites to secure a place in the knockout stages of the competition, Wednesday evening's match could go a long way into deciding who qualifies at the top of Group C.
Despite the stakes, the match also presents itself as another opportunity for a fond reunion between Guardiola and Barcelona's fans, and a chance for Luis Enrique to pit his wits against the best.
In his four seasons as coach, Guardiola claimed 14, out of a possible 19, titles to firmly establish himself as the club's best ever coach, including a treble in his first year in charge.
During much of Guardiola's reign, the Asturian himself was attempting to break out into the managerial scene and served as his apprentice, of sorts, as manager of Barcelona's "B" side.
When the Asturian boss finally found himself in the top job, his side struggled with consistency, and his relationship with Lionel Messi was broken.
Now the situation is different. Barcelona cannot stop winning titles under Lucho, thanks in large to their devastating attacking trident, and the Blaugrana boss is now considered one of the best tacticians in the world.

In fact, following two years in charge, Luis Enrique has won eight titles, one more than Guardiola over the same amount of period. Both, meanwhile, have claimed trebles at the club.
For Guardiola though, who now sits on the Manchester City bench, there is no love lost.
During the transfer window, the Citizens won the race to sign Spanish international Nolito from Celta before raiding Barcelona and signing Claudio Bravo, the Catalan club's first-choice goalkeeper.
As such, if their transfer activity is anything to go by, Guardiola will not be holding back at the Camp Nou knowing that he has a tough task at hand.