Pep's thoughts on Ange's Spurs ahead of Sunday's match
Amidst an injury crisis seeing nine potential starters sidelined, coming off of three losses, and setting up to face the best team in England and arguably the world, Spurs surely have their hands full at the moment. Nevertheless, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola had a number of positive things to say about the direction the club is currently headed before they meet this Sunday.
In response to the tough going Spurs have endured over the past few weeks, Pep offered some insight into how much we should actually read into this dip in form:
"The courage. High line, halfway so aggressive."
“A lot of combinations, use the keeper for build-up, runners everywhere. So dynamic. It happened at Glasgow and now here. I know they lost the last games but did you see who they play."
“I see a lot of similarities when they were winning. Football is like that sometimes, two reds v Chelsea, bad moments, but the dynamic is always positive.”
This shouldn't come as anything surprising for Spurs supporters who are aware of Ange Postecglou's tactical purity, opting to maintain an attaking style of football no matter the personnel he has to work with.
The tactical approach to the game hasn't been the only impact Ange has made since coming to North London, however, and Pep acknowledged that:
"The approach they have, and all the Spurs and fans in England can see they’ve been really good."
“He’s already there in the short time, even the games they didn’t win lately."
“I’m impressed in many things they do and the chances they create, how aggressive they are in all departments. He came here and in a few months he recognises his team perfectly.”
Sunday's matchup will surely prove an intriguing fixture with Ange's squad selection still difficult to predict and a trip to the Etihad an immense challenge for any club.
Tottenham are now without Rodrigo Bentancur following an injury sustained to his ankle in the last match, against Aston Villa. The Uruguayan who only just made his first start for the Lilywhites in months will now be sidelined for the next two to three, reports indicate.
New reports also suggest that Pape Sarr will be sidelined for multiple matches, with Richarlison looking to be the earliest player to return to the pitch.
Needless to say, the January transfer window will be arriving at a crucial time for the North London club. However, nobody should expect Ange to make any changes to his tactics, even if he has to call up youth-team players to make up the numbers against one of the world's toughest opponents.