Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez has defended his tactics Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez has defended his tacticsRafael Benitez has defended Newcastle's defensive tactics against Manchester City, insisting many teams choose to play that way against the Premier League leaders. Newcastle lost 1-0 to City in December and 3-1 in January and saw Pep Guardiola's side dominate possession in both matches. Newcastle lost 3-1 at the Etihad when they played Manchester City in JanuaryBenitez attracted criticism in some quarters for what were perceived to be negative tactics in those matches, but the Spaniard has no regrets. But I have seen Burnley, West Ham, Stoke, Leicester - a lot of teams playing defensive against Manchester City. We are not a defensive team - we are a team that has to defend.

Source: Sky sports February 09, 2018 15:22 UTC