The Germany U21 star's energy and aggressive pressing style could scupper Guardiola's perfect start to the season as they meet in the Champions League
Pep Guardiola has enjoyed a perfect start at Manchester City. The Catalan coach has overseen four wins from four league outings, including an impressive 2-1 victory over archrivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, and has City sitting top the Premier League table going into the first round of Champions League group games.
Guardiola’s European success, or lack of it, became a sticking point of discussion during the the 45-year-old’s Bayern tenure. Despite three consecutive Bundesliga titles at the Allianz AreThe Germany U21 star's energy and aggressive pressing style could scupper Guardiola's perfect start to the season as they meet in the Champions League
Pep Guardiola has enjoyed a perfect start at Manchester City. The Catalan coach has overseen four wins from four league outings, including an impressive 2-1 victory over archrivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, and has City sitting top the Premier League table going into the first round of Champions League group games.
Guardiola’s European success, or lack of it, became a sticking point of discussion during the the 45-year-old’s Bayern tenure. Despite three consecutive Bundesliga titles at the Allianz Arena, claims that Guardiola’s years in Bavaria were deemed a failure repeat themselves.
That opinion is not shared by the manager himself, however, though securing a Champions League trophy for the Etihad side, alongside domestic silverware, will be a priority. And as Guardiola prepares his players for Borussia Monchengladbach’s visit on Tuesday, he will be well aware that Mahmoud Dahoud, one of the Bundesliga’s most promising young talents, has the potential to scupper his emphatic start to the season.
While Guardiola’s Bayern destroyed virtually everything in their path to Bundealiga glory last season, Gladbach were one of two teams to beat them. In the reverse fixture, a tightly contested tie at the Allianz Arena towards the end of the season, Gladbach held on for a 1-1 draw, ensuring Die Roten picked up just one point from a possible six from the two games.
Mahmoud Dahoud played almost the entirety of both fixtures.
The Syria-born midfielder also made 10 interceptions in his full Champions League debut against City in the competition last season.
Dahoud’s tireless performances have seen him linked with a number of European clubs in the past year, with Liverpool and Juventus both said to be interested.
It is this energy and determination to squeeze opponents out of possession that could well stifle Guardiola’s free-flowing football at the Etihad on Tuesday.
“I need to move. If I stop, I feel like I am out of the game,” the 20-year-old said about his approach to the game, pointing to his relentless chasing of the ball. And while there is inefficiency in his movement, it creates a sizeable problem for opposition midfields who need to bypass Dahoud’s presence in the middle of the pitch.
He’s not bad on the ball, either. Dahoud completed 84% of his passes last season and registered 31 key passes across his 32 Bundesliga appearances. Dahoud is equally as skilled in the short passing game as he is in the art of switching the play.
With a natural ability to read the game, Dahoud is well-versed in stealing possession before sparking an attack of his own. The pace in which he plays the game leads to a number of rash and needless fouls, though there is little malice in his game. This in itself slows opponents progressing up the pitch.
The City front third cannot afford to be at all laboured when the sides meet on Tuesday, such is Dahoud’s tenacity.
Gladbach’s success will of course depend on more than Dahoud’s individual performance, should the Germany U21 star play a part in the tie.
However, Guardiola is approaching City’s Champions League campaign with caution and is looking for a higher level of performance from his already-firing squad.
“Until now, in the Premier League it has been OK -- but to compete against the best clubs in Europe, in this moment with the way we are playing, we are not able to.'' Guardiola told press.
"We have played, not all of the games, but part of most of the games at a high level, and of course we have to continue.
"If you ask me whether we are ready to compete in Europe, we are not ready. We create, but in front we need more. But it is just two months together, so we have time to get better.''
As easy as it is to remain cautious in a group containing Barcelona, fans will be expecting a winning start over Dahoud’s Monchengladnbach when the club’s meet at the Etihad Stadium.na, claims that Guardiola’s years in Bavaria were deemed a failure repeat themselves.
That opinion is not shared by the manager himself, however, though securing a Champions League trophy for the Etihad side, alongside domestic silverware, will be a priority. And as Guardiola prepares his players for Borussia Monchengladbach’s visit on Tuesday, he will be well aware that Mahmoud Dahoud, one of the Bundesliga’s most promising young talents, has the potential to scupper his emphatic start to the season.
While Guardiola’s Bayern destroyed virtually everything in their path to Bundealiga glory last season, Gladbach were one of two teams to beat them. In the reverse fixture, a tightly contested tie at the Allianz Arena towards the end of the season, Gladbach held on for a 1-1 draw, ensuring Die Roten picked up just one point from a possible six from the two games.
Mahmoud Dahoud played almost the entirety of both fixtures.
The Syria-born midfielder also made 10 interceptions in his full Champions League debut against City in the competition last season.
Dahoud’s tireless performances have seen him linked with a number of European clubs in the past year, with Liverpool and Juventus both said to be interested.
It is this energy and determination to squeeze opponents out of possession that could well stifle Guardiola’s free-flowing football at the Etihad on Tuesday.
“I need to move. If I stop, I feel like I am out of the game,” the 20-year-old said about his approach to the game, pointing to his relentless chasing of the ball. And while there is inefficiency in his movement, it creates a sizeable problem for opposition midfields who need to bypass Dahoud’s presence in the middle of the pitch.
He’s not bad on the ball, either. Dahoud completed 84% of his passes last season and registered 31 key passes across his 32 Bundesliga appearances. Dahoud is equally as skilled in the short passing game as he is in the art of switching the play.
With a natural ability to read the game, Dahoud is well-versed in stealing possession before sparking an attack of his own. The pace in which he plays the game leads to a number of rash and needless fouls, though there is little malice in his game. This in itself slows opponents progressing up the pitch.
The City front third cannot afford to be at all laboured when the sides meet on Tuesday, such is Dahoud’s tenacity.
Gladbach’s success will of course depend on more than Dahoud’s individual performance, should the Germany U21 star play a part in the tie.
However, Guardiola is approaching City’s Champions League campaign with caution and is looking for a higher level of performance from his already-firing squad.
“Until now, in the Premier League it has been OK -- but to compete against the best clubs in Europe, in this moment with the way we are playing, we are not able to.'' Guardiola told press.
"We have played, not all of the games, but part of most of the games at a high level, and of course we have to continue.
"If you ask me whether we are ready to compete in Europe, we are not ready. We create, but in front we need more. But it is just two months together, so we have time to get better.''
As easy as it is to remain cautious in a group containing Barcelona, fans will be expecting a winning start over Dahoud’s Monchengladnbach when the club’s meet at the Etihad Stadium.
