Pep Guardiola says he’s actually noticed a big change in Tottenham’s style of play ‘lately’ ahead of Spurs vs Man City

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After Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat against Liverpool, Pep Guardiola would have spent hours trying to figure out how Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou will set his side up.

The last time both sides played each other, Tottenham demolished City 4-0 and showed the world that the Premier League champions are no longer the elite team they once were.

Perhaps Ange Postecoglou was aware that this Manchester City side are nowhere near what they once were from a strictly athletic perspective — which prompted Spurs to hit them on the break time and time again.

Since their last meeting, the Sky Blues have huffed and puffed and yet, sit in fourth place in the Premier League while Tottenham are languishing in 12th place.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	27	19	7	1	64	26	38	64
2	ArsenalArsenal	26	15	8	3	51	23	28	53
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	26	14	5	7	44	33	11	47
4	Man CityManchester City	26	13	5	8	52	37	15	44
5	NewcastleNewcastle	26	13	5	8	46	36	10	44
6	B’mouthBournemouth	26	12	7	7	44	30	14	43
7	ChelseaChelsea	26	12	7	7	48	36	12	43
8	Aston VillaAston Villa	27	11	9	7	39	41	-2	42
9	BrightonBrighton	26	10	10	6	42	38	4	40
10	FulhamFulham	26	10	9	7	38	35	3	39
11	BrentfordBrentford	26	11	4	11	47	42	5	37
12	TottenhamTottenham	26	10	3	13	53	38	15	33

However, the Lilywhites have won their last two Premier League games against Manchester United and Ipswich Town and are perhaps facing this City side at the right time — who have lost back-to-back fixtures against Real Madrid and Liverpool.

Ange Postecoglou backed Tottenham to start winning once their injured players returned, which has transpired while City could be missing Erling Haaland on Wednesday while other big names are ruled out of the clash such as John Stones, Manuel Akanji, Rodri and Oscar Bobb.

Pep Guardiola says Tottenham have been more patient “lately”

As a result, Spurs should back themselves to get a big result against Manchester City.

For City, their upcoming contest is a must-win game as another loss could call their chances of qualifying for the Champions League into question.

Ahead of Tottenham’s upcoming clash against Manchester City, Pep Guardiola claimed that he has noticed that Spurs are far more patient in the final third when analysing their recent performances.

Guardiola said via BeanymanSports: “They’re a fantastic team, quality, individual quality they have, the rhythm they play, the intensity, incredible runners with transitions but I’ve seen lately, they’re a little more poised in the final third, more extra passes that maybe before they finished actions so, so quick.”

“They can do it of course but at the same time, they can do it especially with [James] Maddison plays, so the results dictate one thing but the opinion about the team is completely the opposite.”

Ange Postecoglou, whose job is safe at Tottenham seems to have made his Spurs side tougher to play against and he seems to be reaping the rewards of such a tactical change.

Guardiola has already revealed how Tottenham could beat Man City

Meanwhile, Guardiola admitted Manchester City struggle against counter-attacks after Liverpool’s 2-0 win against the Sky Blues in December — an admission Postecoglou could use to Tottenham’s advantage.

“The first 50, 55 minutes we [struggled], like many other times coming here in our prime. We suffered, they scored the goal, we are 1-0 down.”

“We cannot compete against Liverpool. Not just Liverpool but many other clubs, the transitional teams.”

As a result, Ange Postecoglou should encourage his Tottenham players to go for the jugular against City and play their signature fearless brand of football. Manchester City are there for the taking and Postecoglou should encourage his players to pinpoint their weaknesses, especially in defence and across the middle of the park.

Real Madrid did the same and benefited from such a tactic.

However, managers always have tricks up their sleeves in such big games and how Ange Postecoglou approaches the contest will indeed be very interesting.