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'Guardiola killed my self-confidence' - RB Leipzig's Angelino says he didn't get a 'real chance' under Man City boss
The Spanish left-back says he is enjoying his football again at Red Bull Arena after a frustrating spell at the Etihad Stadium
RB Leipzig defender Angelino has insisted that he didn't get a "real chance" at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola while claiming the Catalan "killed my self-confidence".
Angelino, who began his professional career at the Etihad Stadium, returned to City in 2019 after an impressive season-long spell at PSV with the intention of forcing his way into Guardiola's starting XI.
However, the left-back was restricted to just six senior appearances before being loaned to Leipzig, who signed him outright earlier this month, and he has now criticised Guardiola for the way he was treated in Manchester.
What was said?
"Pep has killed me and my self-confidence," Angelino told reporters.
“After my move from Eindhoven back to City, he had already judged me on two pre-season games and then didn't give me a real chance again.
"So I was happy that I moved to Leipzig and that I am now an integral part of the club."
Asked to address the differences between Guardiola and Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann, the 24-year-old responded: “One of them gave me confidence and let me play. The other one just didn't.
“In Leipzig, I felt trust from day one. The club and the coach gave me an incredible push. I am now happy to be able to play consistently in Leipzig."
How has Angelino performed for Leipzig this season?
Leipzig renewed Angelino's loan deal after his impressive performances in the second half of the 2019-20 campaign, and he has since established himself as one of the most important members of Nagelsmann's squad.
The Spaniard has already featured in 31 games across all competitions this term, while also scoring eight goals and laying on 11 assists, helping the German side rise to second in the Bundesliga and reach the latter stages of both the Champions League and DFB Pokal.
The bigger picture
Leipzig triggered an €18 million (£16m/$21m) obligation to buy Angelino after he reached a pre-agreed number of appearances for the current season, which ended his long-standing affiliation with City.
Guardiola had no use for the defender at the Etihad amid strong competition for places at the back, with Joao Cancelo and Oleksandr Zinchenko among his options on the left.
The move has worked out well for both parties as City have developed into the strongest defensive side in the Premier League while Angelino has grabbed the opportunity to prove himself at the highest level in different surroundings.
