Pep Guardiola has vowed to line up his Manchester City side with the same attacking mindset that has characterised his start in English football when it plays at Barcelona on Wednesday, but with slight alterations.
The Spaniard spent much of his medal-mustering playing days at the Camp Nou, and then took his first senior management job in charge of Barca, guiding the club to an incredible three league titles, two Copa del Reys, and two Champions League trophies in four years.
“I’ve spent time here, this stadium is part of my life, I grew up here,” Guardiola noted at Tuesday’s pre-match media conference for the Champions League group-stage tilt.
Some of the hallmarks of his Barcelona reign – retaining possession at all costs, constantly stealing pockets of space, winning the ball back as quickly as possible – are now evident at City, and Guardiola says he won’t make drastic changes to address the Blaugrana’s style.
“I would like to defend well and attack well but to change the way you think, the way you believe in playing football, it’s impossible,” he said.
“Of course you adjust many things because it’s a special team, how they play, build up, high pressing, …read more