Why They Blame Pep Guardiola for Betraying Himself and How It Impacted the Betting Market
The previous season was one of the most challenging of all in the career of Pep Guardiola, who managed to guide Manchester City to third place at the end of the Premier League season in the third position, 13 points behind Liverpool. The Spaniard, who has formed trends in 17 years in football, changed as an individual; he broke up with his wife and vital didactic assistants, and he worked on the commission of restructuring. These changes shaped the style of the play of the Citizens, who became more practical, and the discussions among the professionals and spectators took place.
Goalkeeper in front of the goalposts
No One Knows Why Guardiola Needs Donnarumma
During the Barcelona days of Guardiola, the goalkeeper had also become a significant team member in the development of attacks, such as Víctor Valdés, who was forced to use his feet to pass the ball instead of immediately clearing the ball. This move changed the profile of the goalkeeper and shifted focus for bettors on https://1xbet.tz/en, where ball skills are considered, leaving Donnarumma’s choice in doubt. The Italian, signed from PSG on a £26m transfer in September 2025, is a class in dependability and not creativity, unlike Guardiola’s former favorites.
Valdés subsequently admitted to suffocating under Barça’s model of total control, enjoying the easier football at Middlesbrough. Unlike him, Manuel Neuer in Munich exactly captured Guardiola’s philosophy, being the 11th outfielder by going out of the box and dribbling out of pressure. Ederson in City extended this concept, playing the ball like a midfielder, with long balls to go through the lines of pressing, and on counterattacks, assisting Haaland.
Donnarumma is not of this breed, because the Italian school is more about the aspect of shot-stopping than of attacking the ball. Guardiola has also highlighted how he adapts to player strengths in the case of Donnarumma, who was tall and had played in high-stakes matches but added character to the team. The change to Ederson at Fenerbahçe made such experimentation possible, uncomplicating City’s football in an attempt to bring balance.
Donnarumma most significant traits:
- Exceptional reflexes on the goal line: This has rescued City numerous times;
- Experience at the top level of matches: Champions League appearances for PSG, penalty saving, and smart shots;
- Adjustment to Guardiola’s tactics: Training on short passes, though long clearances continue to be his forte;
- Contrast with Neuer: Less dribbling, but more air control due to height;
- Defense impact: Inspiring defenders such as Stones and Dias under duress.
This choice reflects the changing nature of Guardiola, who is now merely considering pragmatism to stand in the position of playing against Liverpool and Arsenal. Donnarumma has already presented himself on the occasion and has been a consistent player against Manchester United and Arsenal, but his passing has not reached the same level as his predecessor’s.
Guardiola Accused of Cowardice — His Team Has Never Had So Little Possession
This season, Manchester City has repeatedly lost its signature possession control, particularly against the best-of-the-best teams, and this change influences the odds on https://1xbet.tz/en/line as specialists take changes in tactics into account when making predictions. Following a dominant 3–0 victory over Manchester United, the team unexpectedly fell back into defense, and at the Arsenal game, possession fell as low as 33% — Guardiola’s record low. These innovations evoked charges of “cowardice,” and José Mourinho was compared to the individual who had “dried out” matches.
With De Bruyne and Gündogan’s departures, City was saddled with restructuring. Replacement by Reijnders and Foden changed the pace of play, and tactical experimentation — unlike against Arsenal — showed Guardiola’s pragmatism. Less possession, defensive restructuring, and worry about xG all represent a shift away from idealism to acclimatization in the presence of reality’s changes.
Despite criticism and comparison to Mourinho, Guardiola still pursues balance by investing in the team and reorganizing the game’s architecture. His 2027 contract is a vote of confidence for long-term development, though the process is contentious.
Conclusion
Finally, amidst all the rebuilding, Guardiola still makes trends happen and makes football exciting. His transformation is proof of the sport’s cyclical nature, whereby even geniuses resort to new things and transition from dominance to pragmatism. Donnarumma’s signing and tactical adjustments provide proof of the pursuit of balance, influencing game outcomes. Nevertheless, during football viewing and betting, do not ignore the principles of responsible gaming: set limits on bets and time to avoid gambling addiction and financial issues. Responsible behavior preserves the attractiveness of the game without risk.
