Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola says clubs must adapt to the growing threat of set-pieces, agreeing with concerns but praising football’s tactical diversity.
LONDON: Pep Guardiola has urged Premier League teams to adapt to the growing tactical emphasis on set-pieces. The Manchester City manager was responding to comments from Liverpool’s Arne Slot, who suggested such tactics were diminishing the “joy” in the league.
Guardiola acknowledged the trend, exemplified by Arsenal’s effective dead-ball strategies which have earned them the nickname “Set Piece FC”. He stated clubs have no choice but to learn to counter the threat.
“It’s part of the dynamics and you can complain (but) you have to adapt and it’s part of the game,” he said on Tuesday.
The Spaniard, known for his possession-based philosophy, said he agreed with Slot “in some aspects”. He argued that football’s variety of styles is one of its most attractive features.
“Football has not been played in one way since the it has been created,” Guardiola explained. “So the football played in England is different from Spain, it’s different in Italy, it’s different and that’s nice.”
He added that the diversity makes competitions like the Champions League compelling. Guardiola concluded that adaptation is the only viable response for any manager.
“So if I like or don’t like, it’s my business, so if I don’t like, I don’t watch as a spectator, but it is what it is, I have to adapt. It’s a question of how quickly you adapt.”
His comments come as City prepare for a crucial match against Nottingham Forest. The reigning champions have won six consecutive games across all competitions.
City trail league leaders Arsenal by five points but hold a game in hand. Guardiola emphasised the importance of the final run-in, stating his team cannot afford to drop points.
“The last 10 games now start to be decisive,” said the City boss. “Two Premier League games before the international break — we are five behind Arsenal so we can’t drop points.”
He also provided a fitness update on key players Erling Haaland and Nico O’Reilly. A decision will be made after Tuesday’s training session.
Haaland missed the weekend win at Leeds with a knock, while O’Reilly was substituted with an ankle injury.
