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Pep Talk

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne risks Pep Guardiola backlash after telling boss he needs to adjust tactics to cope with Premier League

Recent run has been unimpressive after coming unstuck against long-ball sides and De Bruyne reckons boss must be less rigid

Kevin De Bruyne reckons Pep Guardiola needs to be more open with his tactics

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KEVIN DE BRUYNE faces a backlash from Pep Guardiola after claiming Manchester City must play ugly to win the title.

The Belgian midfielder said: “You need to fight to impose your style.

Kevin De Bruyne reckons Pep Guardiola needs to be more open with his tactics
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Kevin De Bruyne reckons Pep Guardiola needs to be more open with his tacticsCredit: Reuters

“Sometimes, it’s not pretty to watch because it’s not our ideal style but we have no choice.”


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De Bruyne, 25, also claimed Guardiola has been left bewildered by City’s opponents, adding: “What surprises Pep the most is how many teams still play long balls.

“He still thinks they will try to play football because they do against other teams. But against us, it’s not the case. He spends so much time and invests so much energy to find space and it finishes with us telling him the opponents will hit us with long balls.

De Bruyne has been an important player for City so far
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De Bruyne has been an important player for City so farCredit: AP:Associated Press
Guardiola has been shocked by some long-ball teams
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Guardiola has been shocked by some long-ball teamsCredit: AP:Associated Press

“Sometimes, he should ask himself: ‘What’s this all about?’”

Guardiola’s pretty passing game has been enough to lift City to third in the Prem table. But they head into Christmas SEVEN points adrift of leaders Chelsea.


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De Bruyne risks facing a backlash from his boss
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De Bruyne risks facing a backlash from his bossCredit: Getty Images
Guardiola has sworn to not abandon his famous philosophy
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Guardiola has sworn to not abandon his famous philosophyCredit: Getty Images

As for his own role, De Bruyne added: “Nothing surprises me. I’m told two hours before a match what my role is and I know the philosophy.

“Do I agree? Yes. Is it always clear? I think so.”

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