Aitor Karanka sees a different Pep Guardiola to the one he faced at the peak of hostilities between Clasico rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Karanka was part of Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff a decade ago when they went to war with Guardiola in order to disrupt his brand of tiki-taka football.
It should be calmer at The Etihad Stadium today where Karanka’s Birmingham will be massive underdogs sitting 18th in The Championship. He also thinks Guardiola has become more tactically flexible since coming to work in England.
‘He is more complete now.