Thursday 3 November 2016 15:05, UK
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is proving just how good he is in the Premier League, according to Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka.
Former Real Madrid player and assistant manager Karanka knows Guardiola from his opposite number's time at Barcelona and was keen to praise how he has adapted his preferred playing style to suit life in England's top-flight.
"He's one of the best coaches, especially after the win over Barcelona, he's changing," said Karanka, whose Boro side travel to the Etihad Stadium on Satuday
"In the past it was always about possession but in the last game they scored on the counter-attack, sometimes they play long balls to [Sergio] Aguero, and with their players they always have alternatives.
"It's a nice game for us because both managers are from Spain. I said that with Pep here the league was going to improve, and he's showing how good he is.
"Now we have to play against them but we must focus on ourselves. We played well against Arsenal [in a 0-0 draw] but now we have to go to the Etihad expecting a tough game, as Man City are an amazing team."
Karanka admits he likes City's style of play and the quality they possess, apart from when he has to try and nullify it himself.
"Every single day, except when we play against them," he said of his admiration for Guardiola's side.
"When you're watching Man City, Barcelona, Real Madrid, as a football man you like to always watch good games.
"Sometimes when you play against teams who're you're not used to watching on TV it can surprise you, but watching Man City was no surprise as they have amazing players."
On-loan Boro striker Alvaro Negredo will face his former club this weekend, and Karanka believes he has added to his all-round play and is doing more than just scoring goals.
"He was good there and won the league there, it's important for him but the main thing for me is he's improving", said Karanka.
"He's fighting for the team, he assisted for Stewart [Downing] last week and when he went to celebrate he said it was Negredo who assisted him.
"As a striker, you're always thinking about scoring goals but when you're a good striker and not scoring goals, you have to work for the team. He's doing that."
