Pep Guardiola has hinted that after Manchester City’s disappointing draw with RB Leipzig in Germany, he may “play with nine strikers” in the rematch.Information Guide Nigeria
In the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal matchup, City and Red Bull Arena played to a 1-1 draw. Riyad Mahrez put the team ahead just before the half, but Josko Gvardiol equalized with a towering header in the 70th minute.
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Live, Study and Work in Canada. No Payment is Required! Hurry Now click here to Apply >> Immigrate to CanadaAlthough Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez were available off the bench, Guardiola still did not use them after his team had conceded. The City manager defended his decision after the game and hinted that he might use a “crazy” formation in the return match.
“I have the opportunity to have five substitutions. It doesn’t mean I have to do the substitutions. I was really pleased with what I was seeing. I analysed Leipzig with my people and you need this kind of control, because they play with six up front,” Guardiola told reporters.NYSC portal
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“We don’t have the team to compete with them in the transitions. They are better than us, they are faster and quicker. In these situations, German teams are better than us. We had to have a lot of control. Maybe in the second leg, I will decide to be crazy and play with nine strikers.”
Guardiola said he was “delighted” with the result, despite the draw. At full time, he gathered his team for a huddle, and he explained why:
“Their heads were down. [I asked them] Why are your heads down? That was really good. They played the game they should play. We had four games in 10 days, we come here, and then the day after tomorrow we fly to Bournemouth. I put all this in perspective and I am so delighted for the game we played. It’s the Champions League. Such a demanding competition.”
On March 14, Guardiola will rally his team for the second leg of their tie against Leipzig, but until then, they must focus on Saturday’s Premier League match against Bournemouth.JAMB Result
