At half-time during Saturday’s rollercoaster 5-2 win against West Ham, Liverpool had scored their last seven goals from dead-ball situations, a new Premier League record. The debate over set pieces continued after Arsenal’s fraught 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday in which all three goals were scored from corners.
Now Guardiola has weighed in, saying that he somewhat ‘agrees’ with Slot while stressing that managers must adapt. “Set pieces have started to be important part of the strategies” the Manchester City boss began.
“It was different when I started as a manager. When I was a young boy we said the people in England celebrate corners and free-kicks like a goal. I remember perfectly when I was a young boy, so nothing has changed in that way.
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“It is true Arsenal dictate a little bit how they do it and it is an important role. Four years ago in the NBA, the three-shot point was not involved as much but the Golden State Warriors with Stephen Curry [started] to make three points and everyone adapted, now so many teams do it.
“It is part of the evolution and part of the dynamics. You can sit and complain but you have to adapt. It’s part of the game. I know the game is stopped with set pieces, it is not dynamic but it is part of the game.
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“You have to adapt and especially adapt in the way it is whistled and conducted in the Premier League. Every country has a specific way to do it and every club have specific ways to play with the managers and the teams. I understand completely the reason why Arne said that and in some aspects I agree.”
Ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Wolves, Slot said that he ‘doesn’t like’ how set pieces have become such an integral part of Premier League matches. “It is the new reality of the Premier League,” the Dutchman bemoaned in his pre-match press conference.
“Do I like it? My football heart doesn’t like it. When I think about football, I think about the Barcelona team 10-15 years ago. Now it is not as much a joy to watch but it is always competitive.”
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