Back to Basics: Guardiola and Dias Call for Simplicity Amid Manchester City’s Struggles
Premier League Museum Admin 
Ruben Dias Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola addressed the team’s current struggles and emphasized the importance of maintaining simplicity in their play to regain confidence. This discussion arose in the context of Manchester City’s recent poor performance and Guardiola’s reflection on the reasons behind their mistakes.
Pep Guardiola said “What will save us is the way we play. The mistakes are consequences because we’re not playing the way we have to play. Now we attack so quick, a lot of things not in the right tempo and lose the ball and after concede transitions. In that, any team is better than us. We have to be so simple.”
Guardiola elaborated on how Manchester City can return to their successful strategies by focusing on their strengths, like ball possession and patience. This came up as Guardiola outlined the key elements that have defined their success over the years, urging his team to concentrate on executing simple tasks more effectively rather than overcomplicating their gameplay.
Pep Guardiola said “Our strength is the ball. Our success in our eight, nine years, we run like a desperate team when we don’t have the ball, and with the ball is be incredible patient. Let them run and run and don’t make incredible recovery. We adjust some things mentally, but the way we are going to play isn’t going to be changed for obvious reasons. Our success was there, I know when we’re able to do it we are able to play good even in the situations of the last month.”
Guardiola pointed out that the team’s recent mistakes are not due to mental issues, but rather a need to refine their execution of simple play actions. This came during his press conference as he continued to stress the importance of simplicity over potential mental barriers the players might face.
Pep Guardiola said “It’s about to do the simple things better. It’s not a mental thing. They are professionals. Always.”
Ruben Dias, in response to Guardiola’s message, urged the team to return to the fundamentals that have been the foundation of their past successes. This was his reaction to Guardiola’s strategy focus and the need for the team to unify and believe in their tried-and-tested processes.
Ruben Dias said “I believe in his words. It’s time to stick together. Our process has done some magic over the years and it’s a time to stay strong. Back to basics.”
Dias continued on the topic of team resilience and sticking to their known strategies, even in the face of adversity. His comments were directed towards maintaining confidence within the team by relying on their collective belief in their methods and abilities.
Ruben Dias said “Our way has always been the same. If we’re on a good level nobody can stop us. Injuries happen but we know if we have everyone available – even without everyone available – we can be very dangerous. In this moment in time I believe it is about keeping believing in ourselves. Don’t get dragged down by whatever happened.”
Guardiola further articulated his view on confidence and its connection to performing simple actions successfully, during his reflection on what it takes to regain form amidst challenging results. This was intended to clarify his belief that confidence stems from executing small, effective actions rather than striving for an abstract notion of confidence.
Pep Guardiola said “We have to face the problems and the tense results. And go for it. The confidence regaining the ball is the simple thing. Confidence in a game is when you have one or two or three actions in one game. And the actions are good. Confidence is not, ‘oh, you have to have confidence.’ It’s not about that. If I have an action, defensive or offensive. I win that duel. I have the ball. Simple things. Two or three simple things. I do it. I have the confidence. So, at the end, people believe it’s so difficult. No, it’s not difficult. You have to do the simple things.”
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