On 27 September 2001 he signed for Brescia, the Italian Serie A team. Coaching the Rondinelle was Carlo Mazzone.

The esteem for Mazzone was such that Guardiola invited his old teacher to Rome to attend the 2008-2009 UEFA Champions League final. There was also great respect for Roberto Baggio: on 21 April 2002 during a substitution of Giunti for Baggio, Guardiola approached the sidelines, taking off his captain's armband and tying it to his teammate's arm who was returning from an injury after 76 days.

After a good season, on 18 June Roma decided to buy it. He didn't play much with the capital club. On 30 January 2003 he returned to Brescia free of charge.

Guardiola remained very attached to Brescia, so much so that he returned periodically