Gradually, the passing turned into an aerial relay, with everyone capable of steady passes using their calves and backs. If nothing else, a team without such passing ability would be incapable of this. Perhaps after a few touches, the ball would be lost entirely.
Manchester City's Guardiola-style possession tactics demand the highest level of player skill!
Modern European football is increasingly leaning towards systematic tactics, with counter-attacking styles like the "bird-stream" defense becoming more popular, alongside the "scum-stream" system, which emphasizes a low ceiling but an extremely low floor.
More and more teams are adopting these tactics now, making them quite popular. Players don't need exceptionally high individual abilities to win matches.
Possession-based football, on the other hand, highlights beauty. It's a pleasure to watch, a pure visual feast, but it requires very high individual player skill.
The person who truly took this system to its peak was Guardiola himself, especially during the era of Xavi and Iniesta at Barcelona, where possession was executed to perfection, beautiful to watch and always resulting in victory, combining intensity and artistry!
The current Manchester City is no different. While possession tactics aren't exclusive to Manchester City, only Guardiola's teams play it truly authentically, achieving such intensity. 138 Reading Network.
Over time, Manchester City's players have continuously improved under this tactical system, and their individual technical skills are undoubtedly superior to players from other teams. There's nothing surprising about this.
Every player on the field possesses a certain dribbling ability, and their average ball control level is top-tier in the top five leagues!
And it is this team that Arsenal is about to face!
Although Arsenal avenged themselves in their second encounter last season, defeating the "Blue Moon" army that was widely considered unbeatable, this season they have brought a new weapon!
This weapon is, of course, Haaland. His performance in training has also greatly pleased Guardiola, giving him ample confidence!
When Manchester City lacked a target striker and constantly missed chances in front of goal, they still managed to win titles. Now, with Haaland, wouldn't it be effortless?
An arrogant aura appeared on Guardiola's face as he continued to watch the training field intently.
...
After several days of training and preparation, Manchester City players' faces were increasingly radiant with confidence, especially under the arrogant aura that Guardiola led. Everyone firmly believed they would win.
"For tomorrow's match, our goal isn't just to win, it's to keep a clean sheet!"
"Whether it's Henry, Messi, or Cao Baming, not a single goal will be allowed!"
"If they score even one, it will be a massive, massive, super colossal failure for you! Understand?"
Guardiola shouted passionately. The sunlight shone on his bald head, reflecting his imposing figure!
"No problem, it'll be a piece of cake!"
Over these past few days, the coaching staff prepared a tactical masterclass for them, explaining Arsenal's tactics this season in great detail. Everyone already had counter-strategies in mind.
Now, they can truly be said to be brimming with confidence!
It's not an exaggeration to say that they are currently very confident in their ability to keep a clean sheet in the next match.
Manchester City's defense is different from other teams. It doesn't rely on a thin backline but rather presses the entire team into the opponent's half, denying them any opportunity to possess the ball.
On the evening before the match, a media outlet conducted an interview with Guardiola.
In the pre-match interview, Guardiola openly declared that his team would not lose!
The reporter, of course, did not let up and directly pressed: "You once said Messi is the best player in the world. Do you still have confidence in winning against a team led by him?"
Guardiola pondered, casting a displeased glance at the reporter.
"Firstly, Messi might not even play, and secondly, he is just one person, not a team. Our goal in the next match is precisely to keep a clean sheet, because I believe it's a perfectly normal thing."
This statement completely stunned the reporters, leaving them speechless.
They knew Guardiola was arrogant, but they didn't expect him to be this arrogant!
Saying they would keep a clean sheet might be acceptable during training, but to say it in public? Wasn't he afraid of being proven wrong?
Even the Manchester City players were somewhat surprised. With such words spoken, not winning would be a complete embarrassment!
Since it was a live broadcast, fans across the nation and even the world could watch and hear it. Many were visibly impressed, calling the bald Guardiola a legend for saying such things!
At that moment, Cao Baming was lounging on a chair by his villa's swimming pool, holding a tablet and watching the live broadcast. He had stumbled upon it by chance and was taken aback by the opening statement!
As soon as he turned it on, he saw Guardiola's declaration!
"Want to keep a clean sheet?"
Cao Baming chuckled. He had to admit, saying such a thing showed courage.
However, his intellect was questionable. Was this really Guardiola?
He knew that if Guardiola said it, he must have absolute faith in his team's ability to achieve it.
But Cao Baming himself knew how unrealistic that was!
Even if Messi faced his former club, and his beloved 'Guagua' couldn't bring himself to play too aggressively, and Henry gave his old friend some face, he alone would be more than enough!
Even a free-kick from a supreme-level secret treasure could directly blast open their goal!
A clean sheet? They must be dreaming!
On the last day of rest before the match, Cao Baming truly savored the beauty of life, feeling utterly content.
He also received the latest news that Odegaard and White were both feeling unwell and unable to play in the next match.
This news was inconsequential to Cao Baming. These players were not irreplaceable key figures. If one were to count, perhaps only he himself would qualify.
There was both good and bad news regarding Odegaard's injury. The good news was that it solidified the head coach's decision to start Messi. The bad news was the loss of one crucial player.
However, any kind of assurance was simply unnecessary.
With this mindset, Cao Baming thought of his system again. He hadn't checked it for a few days and wondered about his current points.
"System! Check current remaining points!"
Two seconds later, a familiar voice responded.
"Ding! The system has checked and found that the current remaining points total 210,500 points!"
What could he do with them?
Cao Baming considered that everything he had was already very strong, and he didn't seem to need anything at the moment.
"Forget it, I'll keep saving!"
He would never forget that among the redeemable rewards, there was a locked mysterious grand prize. Its price was even higher than a top-tier talent skill card!
He wondered what it could be.