Manchester City and FC Barcelona legend Pep Guardiola praised the work that the Catalans' new head coach Hansi Flick has done so far. The two clubs met in Orlando on Tuesday evening, with Barca winning a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw in regular time.
Guardiola expressed his admiration for the Blaugrana team, highlighting their performance during the match. He commended their ability to adapt to Flick's coaching concepts in a short period, noting the extraordinary positional play displayed by the players.
Guardiola specifically pointed out the team's tactical approach, emphasizing the role of wingers, midfielders, and full-backs in the system. He also praised Marc Bernal for his control and influence on the game, hinting at a potential successor to Sergio Busquets.
Flick, in his post-match comments, acknowledged the quality of the opposition and expressed his desire to build a similar philosophy to Guardiola's successful tenure at Manchester City. He highlighted the importance of teamwork, both in defense and attack, and outlined his vision for a more proactive style of play.
The German coach acknowledged the challenge of facing a seasoned team like Manchester City but remained optimistic about implementing his own ideas while drawing inspiration from Guardiola's approach.
Overall, both Guardiola and Flick praised the competitive spirit and performance of the teams, underscoring the mutual respect between the two coaches and their shared commitment to developing a cohesive and successful playing style.