Pep Guardiola talked incisive football, potential formations and the transfer window in part two of his Brighton v Man City preview.
Ahead of the Blues’ 2017/18 season opener at the American Express Community Stadium, the manager had revealed team news earlier in the conference and went on to discuss the Blues’ plan of attack.
City’s pre-season ventures have sparked excitement for the new campaign but Guardiola insists his side have shared the same goals from the start.
Now, with fresh legs and new optimism, he hopes his side will show their true potential.
“Last season and in the four games we have played this season, the fundamentals are the same,” he said. “We cannot forget when we did something good last season, we were only together for one year.
“We know better now – I know better and the players know me better now. It’s easier.
“We try to defend aggressively and attack more fluidly and more often.
“A lot of things are going to happen and change – injury situations, players’ form – but the fundamentals between the first games last season and now is the same. We want high pressure and to be monopolising the ball.
“The difference between now and then is the age of the team. The full-backs are younger and have energy. We are going to use them for the capacity we have.
“We have played four games – one with four at the back and the last three with three at the back. We played 3-4-3 with a diamond – a demanding system but it worked well.
“Every game you play, you have to try to do better. We played against strong teams and we played well.
“We are going to use both systems but the fundamentals are the same. I am not going to change the way we play.”
