Pep Guardiola's Tactical Dilemma: Will City Change Their Gameplan?
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City face a crucial League Cup test against Swansea. Can they overcome set-piece concerns and adapt to new tactics?
“Every manager does what they believe. I’m focused on that. I want to score from free-kicks and corners – I’m not naive...”
Pep Guardiola believes that Tony Pulis' Stoke City has inspired the current crop of Premier League teams to focus on set-piece tactics. The Manchester City manager noted that nearly 19% of league goals this season have come from corners, about 5% higher than in previous years.
On the way to Swansea 🏴
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 29, 2025
Kitted out in @cpcompany_1971 👌 pic.twitter.com/I4hAXq399K
Guardiola pointed out that teams are now treating every throw-in like a corner, crowding the box with players, and using aggressive aerial approaches to create scoring chances. He cited examples of teams like Arsenal, who have become proficient in set-pieces under Mikel Arteta and set-piece specialist coach Nicolas Jover.
The City boss also praised managers like Sean Dyche and Sam Allardyce for their expertise in exploiting set-pieces and direct football. Guardiola remains committed to his philosophy of controlling possession and dictating tempo, believing this approach will minimize set-piece threats.
Pep Guardiola believes Stoke City's set-piece strategy has influenced Premier League clubs. Under Tony Pulis, Stoke has effectively utilized long throws and other direct set pieces, scoring nine goals from these situations in just nine league matches - the most in the division. This tactical approach has caught the attention of other teams, who are now incorporating similar strategies into their gameplay.
Guardiola thinks this development is significant, highlighting the impact of Stoke's innovative approach on the wider league. By focusing on set pieces, teams are finding new ways to create scoring opportunities and challenge their opponents. As the league continues to evolve, it's likely that we'll see more teams adopting similar tactics.
“Dyche is one of the best by far doing these kind 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? It happened in that time.
“Now it’s just more and more teams doing that but then maybe Stoke was the exception. 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.
“Every manager does what they believe. I’m focused on that. I want to score from free-kicks and corners – I’m not naive, I want it – but I spend my time on what we have to do to play better, attack better and create chances, to score goals.
"Defensively, you have to be more aggressive. All the aspects of the game I see. Of course, I pay attention, but I know I’m not the manager to try to… It’s what I’ve done all my career.”
Manchester City is set to face Swansea in the League Cup fourth round on Wednesday night, providing a welcome break from the Premier League's intense set-piece battles. This match presents an opportunity for Pep Guardiola to reassess and revamp his team's tactics, which haven't yielded the desired results this season.
A special strike from KDB against Swansea! 🩵 pic.twitter.com/LegefjuThe
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 28, 2025
With the Premier League's top teams heavily reliant on set pieces, the League Cup clash against Swansea could be a turning point for City. A win would not only advance them in the competition but also give them a much-needed chance to experiment and find a new rhythm. This could be particularly beneficial for City's attacking players, who have been struggling to find form without Erling Haaland's usual goal-scoring threat.
Guardiola might use this chance to give some of his key players a rest, including Haaland, and test out new lineups and strategies. This could be a shrewd move, considering City's recent struggles in the Premier League and the importance of maintaining momentum in the League Cup. A strong performance against Swansea could be just what City needs to regain their confidence and push for silverware this season.
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