Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne says that his team is still getting used to Guardiola’s tactics and his changes to their routine. The Blues midfielder has been handed a new role by the Catalan coach, and hinted that had contributed to his quiet display in the 2-1 win over Sunderland on Saturday.
The Belgium playmaker said that the whole squad is still getting used to Guardiola's detailed, intense way of playing.
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“It's taken some adjusting, but it's OK,” said De Bruyne. “He has his tactics.
“I don't really play as a number ten, more as a free eight, with a lot of movement everywhere. Everyone is starting to understand it. You sometimes could see someone thinking 'Where should I run?' but for a first match it was better than expected.”
“The intention is to play from the back and then scroll it to me and David, so we can be five against four, but Sunderland stuck against us a bit. Still, it was OK and we had chances.
“There will come matches with more risk – this was the first match and we were all adapting. It's very different from last year, as with every coach – it's a different way of working, of living, and I'm feeling good.”
Also read: PEP TALK - 03: Guardiola era starts in England - Analysis of Manchester City's win over Sunderland.
Another key element of Guardiola's game is the high pressing of the opposition, and De Bruyne said a lot of it is about energy conservation. Another important ingredient of Guardiola’s play is the high pressing of the opposition, and De Bruyne said a lot of it is about energy conservation.
“Sometimes it's easier to put in a few seconds pressure than to go for a long sprint,” he said. “It feels a little less heavy. And if you get a lot of ball possession, you can breathe a little bit sometimes.”
Guardiola has made his impact in the club from day one by changed matchday routines and the diet of the players, exercising more control and ditching the traditional post-match carbohydrate feast of pizza and chicken goujons. The Spaniard believes diet is a key element to keep the players fit and has banned players training with the first team due to being overweight.
Said De Bruyne: “He is strict on food. We are obliged to eat at the club in the morning and evening, but it makes it easy – less cooking for yourself! At the beginning, the difference will be great, but once the season gets going, it will be just as usual.”
Also read: Coach Guardiola imposed strict diet: Man City defender Clichy
Most of the players were not informed about the playing eleven until hours before kick-off, although Joe Hart had clearly been informed he would be dropped at least a day in advance. But the rest of the team was announced after a light morning training session.
Said De Bruyne: “We didn't know until the afternoon of the game. In the morning we trained on set-pieces but didn't know who would play. We trained with everyone - so many people! And I slept at home. I haven't done that since my time at Genk.”
