Pep Guardiola has unveiled how Manchester City plan to tackle set-pieces, one of the biggest threats in modern football.
Following their 1–0 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday, which ended a nine-match unbeaten streak, the City boss spoke openly about how his team intend to minimize such vulnerabilities as they prepare to return to action.
A goal from right-back Matty Cash, stemming from a Villa corner, proved the difference at Villa Park — a rare defensive lapse from Guardiola’s usually meticulous side.
That defeat not only halted their impressive run but also raised fresh questions about City’s ability to cope with set-piece situations against physically imposing opponents.
However, Guardiola appears to have an answer. As City shift focus to their midweek Carabao Cup fixture against Swansea City, the Catalan manager detailed the meticulous work being done on the training ground to ensure his side tighten up defensively.
The Sky Blues, who dispatched Huddersfield Town in the third round with goals from Phil Foden and Savinho, are determined to continue their push for a fifth League Cup triumph under Guardiola.
Speaking ahead of the Carabao Cup fourth-round tie at the City Football Academy, Guardiola discussed how Manchester City plan to tackle set-pieces as Premier League teams are increasingly making it a key attacking weapon — and how that trend has affected the game’s overall spectacle.
“Today in football, set-pieces is a threat,” Guardiola said. “But it’s another part like you can say, a tactic — defensive, offensive — and many, many aspects, and they are.”
The City boss admitted that dealing with set-pieces requires just as much strategic attention as any other phase of play, especially in a league known for its physical intensity and aerial duels. Manchester City’s emphasis, however, remains on controlling matches so thoroughly that set-piece situations become a rarity.
“And of course we are working on it or paying attention to it,” Guardiola explained. “And at the end I have the feeling that as much as you could play, you concede less corners and less throw-ins.
“And when we concede a lot, a lot, a lot of corners, for example against Arsenal when we conceded a goal, it’s just because we didn’t control the game.”
It’s a typically Guardiola perspective — one that places control and possession at the heart of defensive solidity. Rather than relying solely on physical defenders or set-piece specialists, the City manager believes the best form of defence lies in dominance: keeping the ball, dictating tempo, and denying the opposition territory.
Controlling the game — Guardiola’s enduring philosophy
Reflecting on past experiences, Guardiola used Burnley as an example of how complete control can nullify even the most determined teams.
“I remember with Burnley, it was tough. We conceded one corner maybe, or not even one corner. Why? Because we were controlling the second balls, our pace and our control was much, much,” he recalled.
“And in these kind of games, the best way to defend is in that way. But for that you have to be good in a lot of aspects and we are working on it. And I will until the end, I will continue, continue to work mainly on our game.”
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For Guardiola, the idea of control extends beyond simple possession statistics — it’s a holistic approach. Every pass, every transition, and every phase of play contributes to keeping opponents away from dangerous dead-ball situations.
Maintaining composure and structure is how Manchester City plan to tackle set-pieces because it can effectively reduce their exposure to corners and free-kicks, areas where teams like Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Brentford have caused problems across the league.
Following the disappointment at Villa Park, City’s focus now shifts toward recovery and recalibration. With Bournemouth awaiting them in the Premier League and a Carabao Cup quarter-final place up for grabs, Guardiola knows his side must respond quickly — both in performance and mindset.
