Calacus Weekly Hit & Miss – Racing 92 & Pep Guardiola
Every Monday we look at the best and worst communicators in the sports world from the previous week.
HIT – RACING 92
Losing a cup final is never easy, but it must be even harder to take when it’s the third time you’ve fallen at the final hurdle in the space of five years.
Along with French compatriots Clermont, Racing 92 are the nearly men of the European Champions Cup and they lost out to Exeter Chiefs in an absorbing final at Bristol’s Ashton Gate.
It’s often remarked that you learn more about the qualities of sportspeople in the wake of a defeat than victory, and the Racing squad showed a great deal of strength and spirit to engage with the Exeter players after the final whistle.
The picture of Scottish internationals Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell sharing a beer in the stands encapsulated how sport can be so inspiring.
Having put everything on the line for his side during the final, Russell was able to put aside the disappointment of losing to celebrate the success of his long-time international teammate.
It was also good to see Racing put out a tweet congratulating Exeter on their victory and wishing them well in next week’s Premiership Rugby final against Wasps.
Had a few key moments gone their way then Racing could well have been celebrating on Saturday evening, but they can take pride in the communications masterclass that they showed in how to lose with dignity, and they will have gained many admirers as a result.
MISS – SERGIO AGUERO & PEP GUARDIOLA
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero was widely criticised for placing his hand on the shoulder of official Sian Massey-Ellis after disagreeing with one of her decisions during their Premier League encounter with Arsenal.
Although the match officials did not believe any formal action was required, many people felt that it was another example of Massey-Ellis being treated unfairly because of her gender, despite being one of the best officials in the league.
Aguero’s manager Pep Guardiola was quick to protect his player when questioned in his post-match interview.
"Come on guys," he commented. "Sergio is the nicest person I ever met in my life. Look for problems in other situations not in this one."
For many people, however, it was another example of Guardiola missing the point by jumping to the defence of his players without considering how it could be perceived as inappropriate and passively aggressive.
Guardiola could have better managed the situation by saying that he understood how Aguero’s actions may be construed and he would be having a quiet word with him to make sure he understands the possible implications of such actions in future.
Condemned for his staunch defence of Bernardo Silva last year, who was charged by the FA over a racist post about his teammate Benjamin Mendy, Guardiola should really have known better and not made the same mistake again.
As The Athletic’s Liam Twomey put it: “For all his football intelligence, [Guardiola] continues to be wrong about the big things.”