Guardiola says Premier League teams must adapt to set-piece threat
Sports
By
AFP
| Mar 03, 2026
English Premier League football match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on February 28, 2026. [AFP]
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said teams must adapt to deal with set pieces after Liverpool manager Arne Slot spoke about how they were sucking some of the "joy" out of the Premier League.
Arsenal have been labelled "Set Piece FC" as a result of their prowess from dead ball situations and other sides are learning from their playbook.
Speaking Tuesday, on the eve of title-chasing City's match against relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, Guardiola said clubs had no choice but to learn to deal with the growing threat.
"It's part of the dynamics and you can complain (but) you have to adapt and it's part of the game," he said.
READ MORE
Inside reforms and risks of contract conversion for civil Service
The man financing Africa's cargo flow and missing link in trade boom
How high-value bee products can unlock millions for Kenyans
Importers fight state plan to use railway levy for loans
KBA sues regulator over 'illegal' bancassurance fee ban
Police, prison officers to benefit from 47,000 housing units plan
Expanding tax base key to Kenya's economic prosperity
CoG calls for clear plan to transition from coal, oil, and gas to renewable energy
How Kenya missed out on Sh125b World Bank project
The irony of JKIA unveiling airport makeover plan without funding clarity
The Spaniard, renowned for his fluid, possession-based football, said "in some aspects" he agreed with Slot, but explained that one of the fascinating aspects of football was the range of different styles.
"Football has not been played in one way since it has been created," he said. "So the football played in England is different from Spain, it's different in Italy, it's different and that's nice.
"That's why the Champions League is nice, different ways, even in that country every manager plays in a different way.
"So it's nice, that's why it's so attractive. How boring would it be if all the managers and all the leagues played in the same way?
"So if I like or don't like, it's my business, so if I don't like, I don't watch as a spectator, but it is what it is, I have to adapt. It's a question of how quickly you adapt."
City have won their past six games in all competitions and are five points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal with a game in hand.
"The last 10 games now start to be decisive," said the City boss. "Two Premier League games before the international break -- we are five behind Arsenal so we can't drop points."
Guardiola said City would make a call on the fitness of Erling Haaland and Nico O'Reilly after Tuesday's training session.
Norwegian striker Haaland missed Saturday's 1-0 win at Leeds after picking up a knock in training while O'Reilly was forced off with an ankle problem at Elland Road.