Pep plotted a perfect plan to beat Real
BOSS REVEALS REASON BEHIND PLAYING WITH NO STRIKERS
PEP Guardiola explained his decision not to play with an outand-out striker in the win against Real Madrid, but suggested he could change for the second leg.
Sergio Aguero was left on the bench during the 2-1 victory and Gabriel Jesus was deployed out wide. The Blues boss said the decision to play without a striker was in response to Real’s defensive changes.
Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva were key as false nines for Guardiola in his changed system and the Blues managed to nullify the La Liga giant’s threat while still creating their own chances.
And it’s something they’ve spent over a week preparing in that formation.
“We decided to play without a proper striker for the way they defend, so high, so aggressive and when that happens you make the pitch wide, you put balls in and they’re good at winning these ball, they want to put it to the wingers, in the first minutes we suffered but after 10 or 15 minutes,” he said.
“I look at the opponents, most. We had 10 free days and in those days I watched the most amount of matches of Real Madrid, their defensive game was different,” Guardiola explained.
“That’s why we changed, the space was to attack, but never since I’ve been a coach have I gone to defend.
“Maybe I provide too much information, I have to know the opponents, they press a lot.
“They did that in the Camp Nou and I thought they’d do it at home, they steal the balls and make passes, you see after conceding the goal, you have to protect.”
Isco gave Madrid the lead before goals from Gabriel Jesus and De Bruyne have City a vital away win and despite the impressive performance and win he could tinker the game plan in three weeks’ time.
“Zidane will look what we’ve done and the second leg will be different,” Guardiola said. “We have to adapt quickly and try to go there to win the game.”