Man City boss Pep Guardiola hits back at Thierry Henry criticism with Bernardo Silva theory

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Pep Guardiola has explained that he is playing Bernardo Silva at left-back because he helps Manchester City control games and be less predictable in their attacking play.

City threw away three points on Saturday as they drew with Nottingham Forest in a match they should have won by at least five goals.

Bernardo grabbed the opener with an excellent strike despite playing in defence but was then caught out late on as Forest equalised with their first shot on target after building a move down the Blues' left flank.

As a result, Guardiola has been questioned for continuing to play an attacking midfielder in such an unfamiliar position. In response, the manager has given an in-depth explanation of what the selection adds to the side. ALSO READ: Why Kevin De Bruyne and Aymeric Laporte are not in Man City squad vs RB Leipzig Guardiola, speaking ahead of City's Champions League last 16 first leg with RB Leipzig, was asked about Henry's comments after the Arsenal icon said that, despite Erling Haaland's brilliance, his arrival has made City more predictable. "I would say that I understand exactly what Titi [Henry] wants to say the fact we play and we put the balls to Haaland," Guardiola began. "Being less predictable does not depend on Haaland it depends on the way we can make the process to arrive in different channels to the final third, not just with Erling. "The people say: 'Ah we concede a goal in the left side because Bernardo is playing there,' but the people don't realise, and I understand the view is something like left-back defending that position, Bernardo help us do what we have done against Nottingham Forest. "Without Bernardo, it would not be possible to concede one counterattack, one or two actions at the end.