Despite rolling out a ballsy 3-4-3 diamond formation without an actual defensive midfielder, Guardiola’s Manchester City creating next to nothing in the Champions League final. Chelsea defended like they always do under Tuchel: well-organized and disciplined, as direct balls into Werner were a good way to create chances on the counterattack. By virtue of a […]
Pep Guardiola loves an experiment, but even this was more audacious than normal. Manchester City traded total control to find ideas past Europe’s most challenging defensive block. Chelsea had also rotated but found routes through thanks to effective right-side interchange. A 90th minute winner draws the battle lines. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. […]
Ninety minutes stood between Manchester City and a historic step to the Champions League final. The heat was on, but the hosts rose to the occasion. Barring out Paris Saint-Germain in their resolute 4-4-2 block, they could turn to a proven face once more to be the decisive figure. Tactical analysis and match report by […]
Manchester City’s tie with Paris Saint-Germain renewed a duel between two of the game’s great minds, offering an absorbing spectacle. The Parisians stifled City’s 4-2-2-2 offensive shape while posing threats from all sides, but a familiar narrative reared its head to turn the contest around. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. Falling short […]
For eighty minutes, Manchester City had brutalized and controlled Tottenham Hotspur, both on and off the ball. The winning goal may not have been as pretty as some of their earlier attacks, but a return to flexibility and fluency comes at a great time for Pep Guardiola’s men, who can add more than the EFL […]
In a slow and methodical FA Cup semi-final, deep buildups and counterpressing came to the forefront. Though neither team had dominated the shot count, Chelsea were more efficient in bypassing Manchester City’s pressure, to secure another trip to Wembley, thanks to the work of the front two. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. January’s […]
Manchester City came into this game knowing that they had to work to do to atone for mistakes in the past. But Borussia Dortmund had no intention of rolling over for their guests. With fire in their bellies and nothing to lose, they pegged back City early on. Yet, their rebellion could only last so […]
Manchester City’s dominance is a known quantity, but few would have given their visitors a chance of holding their own in his matchup. However, Dortmund’s 4-5-1 block contained the host’s 4-3-3 system, leaving the identity of the winners in this two-legged affair up in the air. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. Manchester […]
The defensive game plan of Leicester City disrupted their opponents’ buildup, but an aggressive counterpress left the Foxes’ cornered. Manchester City know more than one route to victory, which their next challengers will have to consider. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. The matchup between the Premier League’s number one and three took little […]
Carlo Ancelotti’s switch to a 5-3-2 defensive shape was sensible and organized, against a Manchester City team that missed their usual fluency. However, the missing offensive plan and loss of defensive cohesion could only last for so long, as City tweaked their approach to score two late goals. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. […]