Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola praised Tottenham Hotspur’s squad depth on Wednesday night, labelling it as “one of the best I have ever seen.”
Tottenham Hotspur went head-to-head against Manchester City for the third time this season in what was a tightly contested encounter.
A solitary Erling Haaland strike was enough to hand City a crucial win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – a ground where they have often struggled in recent years. While the result was significant, it was Ange Postecoglou’s team selection that sparked discussions.
The Australian made three changes to his starting XI, electing to rest two of his standout performers this season, Djed Spence and Dejan Kulusevski, while also leaving club captain Heung-min Son on the bench.
Pep Guardiola’s admiration of Tottenham’s squad depth
The Tottenham Hotspur boss instead opted for the youngest side he has ever fielded during his tenure at Spurs, placing faith in Mathys Tel, Wilson Odobert and Brennan Johnson to lead the attack.
The second half, however, saw a different Spurs side. With the luxury of options from the bench – something Postecoglou has not always had due to injuries – the manager was able to inject more quality into the game.
The introduction of experienced figures like Son, Kulusevski, Spence and co made an immediate impact.
Pep Guardiola, speaking to TNT Sports after the match, acknowledged Tottenham’s strength in depth, saying: “This is one of the best depth of squads I have ever seen.
“The manager [Ange Postecoglou] is exceptional. [Dejan] Kulusevski, [Heung-min] Son, [Djed] Spence on the bench and when they come with their impact, and the players in the first part were brilliant too. They are a fantastic team!”
Ange Postecoglou’s squad management could define Spurs’ season
Ange Postecoglou’s second-half changes had an instant effect on the game, as Spurs were able to create chances and threaten Manchester City’s backline a lot more.
Despite losing, the team put up a good fight and perhaps on another day, they would have found the back of the net.
With the season reaching its decisive stages, Tottenham’s ability to rotate the squad and manage player fitness will be vital.
The Europa League remains a key target, and Postecoglou will need to strike the right balance between keeping his stars fresh and giving his young talents valuable minutes.