Even Real Madrid had to change their style because of Pep Guardiola, claims Xavi
Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has claimed Real Madrid had to change their style of play to match up with Pep Guardiola‘s tactics.
As Guardiola set to lead new look Manchester City side in the premier league this weekend, Sky Sports aired special documentary on the footballing philosophy and how he revolutionized Barca and made them best team in the Europe.
Xavi explained that such was Guardiola’s impact at Barcelona, their closest rivals have to revisit their tactics to compete with Catalans even a team like Real Madrid had to chance their style of play.
Even Real Madrid had to change their style because of Pep Guardiola, claims Xavi
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“Joan Vila, who was my mentor at La Masia, told me, ‘boy, soak up everything you can from Pep … his first touch, how he turns his head before receiving the ball, when he is under pressure, when he has space, his changes of rhythm, how he uses both feet to control the ball’,” he said.
“The first thing I remember him saying as a Coach was that he would not tolerate any player not working hard.
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“’This is the only thing that I require, that you work hard for the group [what Pep said].’ This was a surprise for us.
“The high pressing was brilliant. It was a real football revolution, a modern kind of football.
“Within a few years, no one played long balls anymore, even Real Madrid changed their style.
“Pep’s first year started this football revolution. We made history. Not just for the victories, but also for the way we played.
“He changed world football. He did not just change Barca, he changed world football.
“I think he is one of the few people who can change English football.”