Guardiola’s Tactical Shift as Manchester City Prepares for Liverpool Clash
Manchester City recently hosted a Halloween-themed event for its players and their families ahead of their match against Bournemouth. The venue was adorned with movie-themed decorations, including a large sign stating, “Now screening: I Know What You Did Last Season,” poking fun at the challenges City faced during the 2024-25 season.
This past season was particularly difficult for the team, plagued by injuries and poor performances despite having claimed the Premier League title four consecutive times prior. While players and staff are now able to chuckle about their misfortunes, there remains a collective desire to demonstrate recovery from that tough period.
Coach Pep Guardiola has been reticent to speculate about the team’s potential achievements this season. City’s performance has been a mixed bag; they secured victories over Manchester United and Napoli, plus a draw against Arsenal, but have also faced defeats against Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Aston Villa. Currently, they sit in second place in the league ahead of a crucial match against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.
This upcoming fixture could clarify whether City has returned to title contention or is still in the midst of a rebuilding phase.
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In a bid to keep the squad healthy, Guardiola recently took the unusual step of canceling training the day before the Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund, granting players a day off to recover. Dortmund had a schedule advantage, as their Bundesliga match against Augsburg was shifted to Friday, allowing them more preparation time before facing City.
Guardiola’s decision, which required special approval from UEFA, aimed to prevent a repeat of last year’s injury woes. This strategy seemed to pay off, as City triumphed 4-1 over Dortmund, climbing to fourth in the Champions League standings.
Off the field, City has seen significant changes in personnel over the year, losing over 1,500 games worth of experience with the departures of key players like Éderson, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gündogan, and Kevin De Bruyne. Josko Gvardiol commented on the noticeable absence of these veteran players, saying, “It’s normal for changes to happen, and we must accept it.” He affirmed that the remaining squad members are fully committed to their roles.
In light of last season’s difficulties, Guardiola has taken a more hands-on approach in managing the locker room dynamics. Unlike previous seasons where players voted for captains, he has directly selected the leadership group. This team now includes Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias, Rodri, and surprising choice Erling Haaland, reflecting a focus on unity following last year’s struggles.
Haaland has emerged as an exemplary figure, having scored 18 goals already this season while demonstrating enhanced defensive effort. His engagement has even led him to request media responsibilities ahead of the Dortmund match.
Following a grim start to the previous season, Guardiola’s outlook has transformed significantly, particularly since City has lost only once in their last 13 games. “I’m really excited and eager to prepare for the Liverpool match,” he expressed after the Dortmund game. The upcoming clash provides another opportunity for the team to affirm that the disappointments of last season are firmly in the past.
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