Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that playing against players like Bukayo Saka of Arsenal and Mohamed Salah of Liverpool this season showed him the value of strong full-back defense.

There was a noticeable shift in Guardiola’s strategy this season as Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji spent a significant portion of the campaign helping out on the left. Guardiola’s full-backs have typically been known for their attacking play, either flying down the wings or drifting into midfield, but there was a noticeable change in tactic from the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager.

Both Ake and Akanji, who are centre-backs by trade, have had absolutely fantastic seasons in this new position, and Guardiola has now acknowledged that City’s struggles against Saka and Salah gave him a fresh perspective on defending.

“[Nathan Ake] has been fundamental for us,’ Guardiola told Sky Sports after Sunday’s victory over Chelsea.

“I learnt this season when you play against Bukayo Saka, Vinicius Junior, Gabriel Martinelli or Mohamed Salah, you need proper defenders to win duels one-on-one. They need just one action to beat you. Nathan gave us a boost that we did not have in the past.”

City parted ways with left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko last summer, selling the Ukraine international to Arsenal, while right-back Joao Cancelo was sent out on loan to Bayern Munich with a view to a permanent exit that appears unlikely to materialise.

Young right-back Rico Lewis was moved to the senior squad in their place, and Kyle Walker saw a renaissance at the conclusion of the season, particularly after turning in a standout performance to contain Vinicius during the second leg of the Champions League semifinal.

“This group of lads are second to none,” Walker said after the title win. “They’re professionals, they’re winners, and I think that’s how we get across the line more times than not.

“But we’re not finished. We’ve got the FA Cup against our bitter rivals Manchester United and then we’ve got the Champions League final.”

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