Pep Guardiola reveals tactical secret behind Mateo Kovacic’s second goal against Fulham | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed the tactical plot that directly led to Mateo Kovacic’s second goal against Fulham on Saturday afternoon.

The Premier League champions were once again forced to come from behind to claim points in the top-flight at home this season, responding to Andrea Pereira’s opener with a brace from Mateo Kovacic either side of the half-time interval.

Jeremy Doku would appear from the substitutes bench to launch an unstoppable effort beyond Bernd Leno and into the top corner of Fulham’s goal, ensuring that Rodrigo Muniz’s late strike would only be a consolation.

The victory moves Manchester City into the second international break of the ongoing season with their unbeaten start to the campaign still in tact, but also having the club in second position behind the current leaders, Liverpool.

Speaking after the contest at the Etihad Stadium, manager Pep Guardiola was keen to point out the challenge that faced his Manchester City players, with Marco Silva’s Fulham putting up a hugely impressive showing.

“It was intense, and it was tight. Chances for them, chances for us,” Guardiola said after the victory. “We started really good, created chances, and after they shaped to five at the back, and when that happens, always it’s a risk and difficult, and at the end we could manage it.”

The Catalan coach went on to reveal the tactical detail and plot that directly led to Mateo Kovacic’s second goal to move Manchester City ahead in the game and complete the turnaround for the hosts.

“When they defend with five in the back, nobody can defend (Mateo) Kovacic except the striker who goes with Kovacic,” Guardiola pointed out. “And when this happens, the transition is less transitions.”

He continued, “We used that weapon, and Kova did really, really well.”

Mateo Kovacic will now be among a long list of players that will leave England and report for their respective national teams, with a congested schedule of UEFA Nations League and FIFA World Cup qualifiers lined-up across the next two weeks.

Pep Guardiola will be hoping that all of his players selected for action return fully-fit, as a busy run of fixtures lies between the middle of October and mid-November, across all of the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and Carabao Cup.