Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has emphasized the importance of adapting to different pitch conditions as his team prepares to face Fulham on Saturday. City, aiming for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title, are known for their possession-based passing game that thrives on the pristine surfaces of their Etihad Stadium home.
However, Guardiola believes that his side can benefit from slower pitches, as evidenced by their victory at Nottingham Forest last month. He expects a similar challenge at Craven Cottage, where Fulham’s pitch is typically longer and drier.
“We have to adapt like with Nottingham, try to fight back with three points,” Guardiola said. “Yesterday, we trained part of the session with a dry, high (grass) to feel it, to adapt.”
Guardiola compared the situation to tennis, highlighting the different speeds and techniques required on different surfaces. “The passes must be stronger, faster, quicker. The control must attack the ball more,” he explained.
City head to London trailing Arsenal by a point but with a game in hand. The Gunners face Manchester United on Sunday before concluding their campaign against Everton. City play their game in hand at Tottenham in midweek and then face West Ham in their final league match.
Guardiola is confident that his team can overcome any challenges they face, including the potential for a slower pitch at Fulham. “Here we are, one week left to give all we have,” he said. “I don’t know about the grass, last season it was so, so high and dry. We have to adapt.”
