Advetorial
It was a question of when not if Manchester City would win the Premier League this term. The Citizens had been the best team in the country by a mile, and in perhaps the second best scenario possible, they won the league by not playing a game. The Pep Guardiola-tutored side looked to be in crisis after a run of three consecutive defeats last week, but in a way only champions do, City went to Wembley to defeat Tottenham 3-1 in their last league game, a performance that showed just how brilliant they have been. 10bet sports betting will most likely not have seen City winning the league last weekend, but in unbelievable circumstances, a home loss to West Brom by nearest rivals, Manchester United gave City a 16-point cushion with just 5 matches left to play.
Last week was exceptionally tough for City who would have won the title by defeating United at The Etihad. Goals from Vincent Kompany and IlkayGundogan looked to have set City on the path to victory, but United made a stirring comeback to win the game 3-2 and delay City’s title party. For all the talk that Guardiola is a chequebook manager, he has stuck to his guns and it has been refreshing to see. The English media putstoo much pressure on managers who don’t bend to the demands of the league. The likes of Andre Villas-Boas and Louis Van Gaal were vilified for trying to play a different system of football that doesn’t fit the English game of playing physical, boisterous football.
The English footballing culture doesn’t readily accept foreign football methodologies, and despite being successful for the better part of his managerial career, the criticism labeled at him is baffling. He struggled to adapt to the demands of the league last term, and had players that were not in tune with how he wants to be played. In a brave move, he sold all his fullbacks and brought in younger, faster players that are adept in both attacking and defensive situations. City have swept all in front of them, beating a host of big clubs , playing a brand of football that other club fans would love being played by their own teams but are not ready to appreciate him for the work he has done at The Etihad.
While he won the league at Barcelona, he had the players to implement his methods as they had been ingrained the tiki-taka way all their life. At Bayern, he had the luxury of playing in a league where his team had the best players and biggest resources. In England, playing the same way in the face of credible opposition is quite challenging, as each club and manager has a way of trying to negate the tactics of the opposition. There are 6 teams that are at par, and to win the league with 5 matches to spare is some achievement. City are on course to beat the wins record, goals record, point’s record and highest goal difference.
Guardiola has worked wonders, and this title win is up there with the very best seen on English shores. It is his best so far, and more are still coming.
