Guardiola a true believer in 'false nine' ahead of final

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - Manchester City arrive at their hotel ahead of the Champions League Final - Porto, Portugal - May 27, 2021 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola wearing a protective face mask arrives to the hotel REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

PORTO, Portugal (Reuters) - It is a term that once puzzled pundits and upset traditionalists but Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says the 'false nine' brings out the best in his team, and it would be no surprise to see it used in Saturday's Champions League final against Chelsea.

The unconventional tactic involves playing without a traditional centre-forward, or 'number nine', leading the attacking line but with either an advanced midfielder or a withdrawn striker in a deeper position.