People talk about tactics, but when you look at it, tactics are just players. You change things so that the team can get the most out of the skills they have to offer, but you don't go any further than that.
Pep GuardiolaRead
We have to cut out some of our mistakes, but the main thing in English football is controlling the second ball. Without that, you cannot survive.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Controlling the second ball is crucial for success in football, as it allows a team to maintain possession and create opportunities.
Pep Guardiola emphasizes the importance of managing the second ball in football, which is the ball that comes loose after the initial play. This control is vital for any team's survival and success on the field, as it allows players to dictate the pace of the game and capitalize on opportunities, demonstrating the need for both skillful execution and strategic positioning.
Themes
FootballSecond BallControlSuccessStrategy
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote during a sports coaching seminar to stress the importance of possession in football.
More from Pep Guardiola
All quotes βIn football, the worst things are excuses. Excuses mean you cannot grow or move forward.
Pep GuardiolaRead
Maybe Klopp is the best manager in the world at creating teams who attack the back four with so many players, from almost anywhere on the pitch. They have an intensity with the ball and without the ball, and it is not easy to do that.
Pep GuardiolaRead
Put in the superlatives yourselves, I'm running out. It's already been a while now that he has been outstanding. He's more than decisive in every way. That he's capable of doing everything that he does at his age is something impressive, that doesn't make any sense.
Pep GuardiolaRead
If you want to win, you have to beat the big teams in Europe, and Juventus are awesome.
Pep GuardiolaRead
There are teams that wait for you and teams that look for you: Espanyol look for you. I feel very close to their style of football.
Pep GuardiolaRead
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