**Mexico City Capitanes Embrace a Relentless Playing Style Inspired by Soccer Coaching Legend Pep Guardiola**
MEXICO CITY — The NBA is often called a copycat league, and the fast-paced, pressing style that has taken over the league is now making its way into the G League. The Mexico City Capitanes, an unaffiliated G League team, are embracing this trend under new head coach Vitor Galvani, who revealed his vision for shaking up the team’s style of play during the squad’s open training camp practice this week.
However, Galvani is not simply replicating the Indiana Pacers-inspired approach currently popular in the NBA G League. Instead, he describes his style as something different and unique.
“I seek a different style of play than what is commonly seen in the G League,” said Galvani (translated from Spanish). “It is a style that I like to call relentless, which would be tireless. I mean, we are attacking on both sides of the court.”
Interestingly, Galvani and Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla share similar philosophies. Galvani has even drawn inspiration from a renowned European soccer coach — Pep Guardiola, who currently manages Manchester City and previously coached Paris Saint-Germain.
“I think everyone knows the coach of Paris and the coach of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, and they have the same style in football of attacking on both sides,” Galvani explained. “So, that’s the idea.”
For Mazzulla, Guardiola is nothing short of a coaching legend, which makes Galvani’s choice of role model easy to understand.
“He, tactically, is tremendous. He can manage talent, and he can develop talent,” Mazzulla said during an interview on the *Men in Blazers* podcast. “I think when you’re taking a look at some of the best coaches of all time, they don’t necessarily have a weakness.”
While Galvani is eager to try out this relentless, dual-sided attacking style inspired by Guardiola, he remains adaptable.
“I see myself as a coach who is very flexible,” Galvani stated. “That’s what I believe now. And let’s see how the first matches go. If I need to change, I will change. But the first and most important thing is that we try to execute in the best way possible.”
As the Capitanes set out to implement this fresh approach, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Galvani’s strategy can bring success and possibly influence other teams in the league.
—
*Listen to “Havlicek Stole the Pod” on Spotify and iTunes.*
https://celticswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/celtics/2025/11/08/capitanes-coach-galvani-borrows-from-mazzulla-with-guardiola-inspiration/87174990007/

