DBasia.news – Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has revealed the reasons behind the team’s strong defenses so far in the Premier League. According to the Spanish manager, City’s strength does not only come from the back line, but also collectively.
With only 13 goals conceded in 21 games, City has the best record in the Premier League so far, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are second best with 22 goals conceded.
The strength of City’s defense was allegedly formed after the club recruited Ruben Dias from Benfica. Plus the fact of the resurrection of John Stones’ performance, Manchester Blue’s defense is increasingly difficult to penetrate.
However, according to Guardiola, City’s strong defense is not due to a strong back line, but also City’s dominant playing style in possession of the ball so that opponents rarely touched the ball.
“The reason why (City’s defensive record is so good) is because 67% of the time we have the ball,” Guardiola explained as quoted by Goal.
“This is the main reason. The main reason is we have the ball. If you have the ball as much as possible then the opponent does not have the ball.”
“Of course, opponents can score goals from set pieces or counter-attacks but the more you have the ball, the better your chances of scoring goals. This is the reason.”
“Maybe one day they will change the rules, but I think to score goals you need the ball.”
“You can’t win titles, especially the Premier League and Bundesliga, if you concede a lot of goals. Last season we conceded more than usual and we didn’t adjust well to some things.”
“But if you look at the goals we conceded. During our years here in Manchester, in Munich, in Barcelona, it’s always been a little. A little, a little, a little,” stated Guardiola.
City’s defense will be tested again in Week 23 of the Premier League against defending champions, Liverpool at Anfield, Sunday (07/02) at 23.30 WIB.