“I try to respect” – Rayan Ait-Nouri reveals tactical instructions from Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola’s first tactical instructions for new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri have been revealed by the Manchester City left-back.

The Algeria international has become Manchester City’s first natural left-back recruit viewed as an immediate solution for the first-team since Benjamin Mendy’s arrival from AS Monaco in the summer of 2017.

Since then, manager Pep Guardiola has turned to numerous options throughout his squad to fill in the position to varying degrees of success, including the likes of Nathan Ake, Fabian Delph, and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The most-recent campaign saw Guardiola turn to Josko Gvardiol for the majority of the season, with the Croatian ultimately claiming the club’s in-house Player of the Season award, complimented by the efforts of academy star Nico O’Reilly.

However, with a view towards moving Gvardiol into his natural position of central defence, and allowing for O’Reilly to develop his own game in midfield, the club took the decision to sign an expert in the left-back role.

And speaking after his debut in Manchester City’s 6-0 win over Al Ain on Sunday night, Rayan Ait-Nouri revealed the tactical instructions issued to him by manager Pep Guardiola ahead of his first appearance for the club since joining from Wolves.

“He has told me to play my game without pressure. You know, drive with the ball, cross also in the box. I try to respect the advice he gives me,” the Algeria international said.

He continued, “Hopefully we’ll be good for the next few stages. It was freedom. I’m very happy to play like this, without the pressure. I like to drive the ball to the post for the striker. It’s part of my game right now.”

On learning and working under the Catalan coach, Ait-Nouri said, “It’s a big honour.

“I can improve a lot with him. We saw in the last few years he made a lot of things. He wins every time with this team. He’s the best manager, but I’m very happy to work with him.

“For sure I will improve my football.”

Manchester City turn their attentions to Juventus in their final group stage game of the FIFA Club World Cup, having already ensured their place in the last-16 of this summer’s competition in the United States.

Pep Guardiola’s side know that only a victory over the Italian club will ensure their position as group winners, subsequently setting up a clash against the second-placed side in Group H – currently battled out by Real Madrid, RB Salzburg, and Al-Hilal.