Manchester City are well-prepared to deal with Brentford’s threat from set pieces… with Pep Guardiola counting on the expertise of a former Bees coach ahead of Monday’s clash
- Man City have been working on set pieces ahead of their clash with Brentford
- Thomas Frank’s team defeated the treble winners both home and away last season
- Who is the biggest winner of the January transfer window? It all starts Transferweek podcast
Manchester City have tapped into the expertise of one of Thomas Frank’s former gurus as they fine-tune their set pieces as they prepare for an aerial bombardment of Brentford.
The Premier League champions lost both their games against the Bees last season and Pep Guardiola remains wary of the threat from Ivan Toney, who will make his third appearance since an eight-month ban for breaching gambling rules.
City used last month’s warm-weather camp in Abu Dhabi to work on corners and free-kicks, and the time paid off with goals from dead-ball situations against Tottenham and Burnley.
Guardiola praised his coaching staff, believed to include specialists Carlos Vicens and Jack Wilson, after Julian Alvarez scored from a smart free-kick in Wednesday’s win over the Clarets.
Wilson joined City two years ago as a first-team performance analyst after flourishing under Frank at Brentford. He carries out preparatory work before Vicens implements the plans during training.
Pep Guardiola has taken advice from the former Brentford coach as his side prepare to face the Bees
The Man City boss was full of praise for Ivan Toney, who has scored twice in two games since returning from an FA ban
While there has been an upturn in the output of attacking set plays, City are focusing on their defensive responsibilities ahead of Monday’s trip to West London. Guardiola will warn his stars about Brentford’s capabilities in such situations and their ability to cause problems on throw-ins.
“Toney is an exceptional player,” Guardiola said. ‘Brentford is so dangerous. A lot of direct balls and you have to adapt, because they are very good at that.’
The City boss has Erling Haaland available after the striker made a 19th-minute comeback following a two-month layoff with a foot injury.
And he has been forced to ignore suggestions in the Spanish press that the Norwegian was unsettled in Manchester as rumors of a move to Real Madrid resume.
Brentford completed the double over Guardiola’s treble winners in the Premier League last season
“You have to ask the Madrid media, maybe they have more information than us,” Guardiola added.
‘We don’t have that feeling. He couldn’t play for two months because he was injured, but maybe the media from Spain, and especially Madrid, have more information than us.
“We can’t say that he didn’t adapt quickly and that he hasn’t been doing well since he arrived. It is the level he has shown since he arrived on day one. We have no control over what people say. If he is unhappy, he will make his decision.”