With the way the Premier League champions have returned from their Abu Dhabi camp, the rest of the division are probably grateful.
City put a particular emphasis on setpieces for their week in the sun, making the most of their break from games to hone how good they could be in both boxes - and after Nathan Ake scored the winner from a corner against Tottenham last Friday, Julian Alvarez's second against Burnley came via a quick freekick that was far too good for the visitors.
Guardiola went straight over to set-piece specialist Carlos Vicens on the bench, the man responsible for transforming City's ability from dead-ball situations. It was Vicens who spearheaded a Premier League record of a net 20 goals from setpieces during his first year on the first team staff after moving up from the academy to play a significant role in the Blues clinching the title.
While they have been decent since, they haven't been exceptional and have slipped from the league's best in those markers. It was clearly highlighted as a potential area for improvement and the results since Abu Dhabi have been extremely promising. It's the sort of thing that sums up why City have been so successful for so long, with staff alert enough to notice the minimal tweaks that can have a major difference and players quick enough and intelligent enough to instantly pick up and execute what is being asked of them.
Having won the Treble with four big centre-backs, Guardiola has gone back to set-pieces for innovation this season.
They weren't the only throwback on a wet and chilly night at the Etihad.
Denne historien er fra February 01, 2024-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 01, 2024-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Ten Hag wants a £200k 'privacy wall' at Carrington
ERIK ten Hag has reportedly requested a privacy wall to be built at United's training ground, costing the club £200,000.
"There is no reason to expect any sort of statement after Sir Jim's meeting'
UNITED are yet to clarify Erik ten Hag's future following their executive meeting in London on Tuesday.
ETH says Ugarte needs time but it's hard to develop if he's not playing...
ERIK ten Hag's decision to drop the two central defenders he had worked with previously and pushed to be reunited with at Old Trafford attracted plenty of attention this week, but it wasn't his only surprising selection call.
BEV'S LOOKING TO GO CRAZY!
BEVAN French admits it will be 'a crazy feeling' if he can light up Saturday's Grand Final with another of his freakish tries.
HAALAND ON 'GABGATE' 'What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch'
STRIKER HAS ‘NO REGRETS' OVER THROWING BALL AT GAB
Root: Plenty of runs still to get
JOE Root insists there are 'many more runs left to get' overhauling Sir Alastair Cook to become England's record Test run-scorer.
'Local Retail Champions make our communities better places to live'
LOTTERY OPERATOR ‘EXCITED' TO RECOGNISE RETAILERS, SAYS ALLWYN CEO ANDRIA VIDLER
Badenoch or Jenrick to lead Conservatives
ROBERT Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch will go head-to-head in the final heat of the Conservative Party leadership contest, after James Cleverly was knocked out in the latest round of voting.
Letby told colleague of 'distress'
CHILD serial killer nurse Lucy Letby told a colleague more than a year before her arrest she was worried she had \"maybe done something wrong\" to babies, an inquiry has heard.
Idris acts to give youth a chance
IDRIS Elba has partnered with The Prince's Trust to launch a new project that aims to give a 'chance' to the young people of Manchester.