Guardiola Says Set-Pieces Have Become Real Danger Again In Premier League

Pep Guardiola believes the Premier League is once again being shaped by the power of set-pieces, drawing comparisons with the rough-and-tumble days of Tony Pulis’ Stoke City.

The Manchester City manager admitted that more teams are using long throws, corners, and physical duels to unsettle opponents, describing it as a growing tactical weapon across the division.

“It’s true that people use every throw-in like a corner and put 10 players there in the box,” Guardiola said. “We suffered when we played at Brentford, or look at Brentford against Liverpool which we saw in our hotel, every action (Michael) Kayode put in the box. And Kayode was the man of the match.”

Statistics show that nearly 19 per cent of all Premier League goals this season have come from corners, the highest figure in years and almost five per cent more than usual.

“Today set pieces are a threat,” Guardiola continued.

“I remember a long time ago with Sean Dyche in Burnley. Burnley were an incredible threat in long balls and second balls. Dyche is one of the best by far at doing these kinds of aspects. It’s not new, he did it before. Or Sam Allardyce. Or I remember when I was not here, Stoke City. Do you remember Stoke City when they made the throws? Now it’s just more and more teams doing that but back then maybe Stoke was the exception.”

The Spaniard recalled how even during his time in Spain and Germany, English football had a reputation for its aerial strength and physicality. “I remember when I was at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Arsene Wenger talked about going to play at Stoke City but now it happens a lot of times,” he said.

Source: Naijanews