'They want you to play, be aggressive, to have the ball,' Benatia told La Gazzetta dello Sport, as reported by Goal.
'Temperamentally, they are different: Allegri is closer to the players, Guardiola does not communicate.
'He explained why to me once: he was disappointed by his relationship with some players at Barcelona, so he told me, "I just do my job – the coach's".'
Guardiola and Manchester City are under the slightest hint of pressure after a run of four games without a victory, belying their early season form in which they looked likely to sweep everyone aside.
They were held to a draw by Celtic in the Champions League before losing against Tottenham Hotspur, their first defeat under their new manager.
A further draw against Everton was then followed by a heavy 4-0 defeat by Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night.
City take on Southampton - who have not lost any of their last four games in the Premier League - on Sunday.
