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Ayala says Guardiola style has 'damaged' football

The Catalan's Barcelona were the best team the ex-Valencia man has seen, though he says the art of defending in the game has regressed under him

Former Valencia defender Roberto Ayala believes Pep Guardiola's methods have started a trend that has proved "damaging" to football.

Ayala, twice a La Liga champion with Valencia and widely regarded as one of the best in his position in Spain, faced Guardiola's Barcelona in the latter part of his career with Real Zaragoza.

The centre-back - who won 115 caps for Argentina - admits that he has never seen a finer side.