Pep Guardiola experimented with an unorthodox interpretation of a 3-4-2-1 system as City hosted United in the EFL Cup. Although City dominated the early proceedings, United opened the scoring through Nemanja Matić, after which City showed some nervousness in their play and made some clumsy errors. Nevertheless, City were still the overall better team in […]
Aston Villa’s trepidation at going head-to-head with Manchester City proved prophetic as Pep Guardiola’s visitors demolished the home side in a stunning performance at Villa Park. Faced with a nightmarish injury list, Dean Smith could perhaps be forgiven for throwing in the towel, yet the manner of the defeat raises serious questions about the home […]
Manchester United were thoroughly outplayed as City were able to create overloads in midfield as well as finding plenty of space to progress the ball on the right flank. In the second half United changed their setup, which improved their play in and out of possession, but it was not enough to recover from the […]
City’s domination culminated as Guardiola’s back three guaranteed his side the necessary solutions to face recent issues. Meanwhile, an uninspiring Everton side was shown the door without leaving its mark. Guardiola and Ancelotti’s first encounter in the Premier League, unsurprisingly, saw the former manager win the chess match. Tactical analysis and match report by Kareem […]
After Ederson’s sending off left City with no way to go, two casual attacks gave Guardiola’s team a double lead. However, their inability to control possession with ten men exposed their defensive frailties, ultimately inviting Wolverhampton back into the game for the final win. Tactical analysis and match report by Kareem Bianchi. Fourteen points behind […]
A game of such stark contrast to last season’s closely-contested end-of-season battle between these two managers might have taken a few by surprise – especially given the nerves seeping through the cracks of this City outfit – but the visitors handed the hosts their dinner on a plate this time. Tactical analysis and match report […]
Kevin de Bruyne was the star of the show as City approached the game at the Emirates with slightly more of a focus on counterattacking than one would expect from a Pep Guardiola team. This led to the sides having a more-or-less equal share of the ball until later on in the game, but Arsenal […]
Much of the first half of this Manchester Derby was defined by Manchester United’s quick transitions. Manchester City had promising attacks of their own, but their defensive intensity was below usual standards, which partly allowed United to go 2-0 up within thirty minutes. City made slight adjustments to stem the flow of counterattacks and attempted […]
A ruthless City left no room for doubt, taking the lead early and firmly controlling the remainder of the game. As the game progressed, City kept mutating in a successful attempt to lock Burnley under a hypnotizing spell that sliced their defense in two, helplessly capitulating them into endless doom. Tactical analysis and match report […]
Chelsea came to the Etihad with a positive attitude and looked to impose themselves on the game in a way that not too many teams do away at Manchester City. They were able to take the lead through N’Golo Kanté. City quickly replied through Kevin De Bruyne, and then began to find joy through De […]