Eight center-backs, deep 4-4-2 formations and little shot activity. It’s Diego Simeone’s dream, but take a look closer and it’s a title-swaying game between Pep Guardiola and one of his former assistants. Just how did football end up in this position? Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. We decided to make this article […]
To be narrow is to be compact in the center, but spaces out wide can force you out of the shell. Newcastle United tried to establish their intensity in a changed shape but was left chasing shadows from Manchester City’s flexible forwards. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. We decided to make this […]
This was a high quality match between two teams with ambitious ideas and the ability to carry them out cohesively. City’s possession play was slick in the first half against Liverpool’s pressing, but the home side found momentum in the second half and looked dangerous with transition attacks. Ultimately, the sides were forced to take […]
Marcus Rashford fired Manchester United in front early on, but the pattern in this game was one of Manchester City dominance with their 3-2-4-1 attacking system against United’s deep 4-4-2 defensive block. City were able to open central spaces within United’s block, and eventually were rewarded for it with crucial goals from Phil Foden. Tactical […]
Manchester City dominated possession and territory throughout the game, but it was Chelsea who struck first as they were rewarded for good counter-attacking play by going in front. They faced an attacking onslaught from City who threw everything at them with a wing-focused attack, and eventually equalized courtesy of Rodri. Tactical analysis and match report […]
As anticipated, Manchester City comfortably defeated FC København despite the home team’s spirited performance. With key players returning from injuries, City reverted to the structure that led to their success last season, while it was clear that København were taken by surprise by Pep Guardiola’s tactical adjustments. Tactical analysis and match report by Rahul Madhavan. This […]
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hasn’t been kind to Manchester City, but their five-game losing streak was finally broken in the FA Cup. They dominated the proceedings right from the outset, with a dynamically fluid approach, but ultimately, Nathan Aké’s toe poke made the decisive impact. Tactical analysis and match report by Rahul Madhavan. We decided to […]
Having found a way to strike its prey, Manchester City still needed its sharpest tools to puncture through. Newcastle United had worked its way into a valuable lead, but Pep Guardiola deployed Kevin de Bruyne where all of their creativity had been flowing. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. We decided to make […]
The champions returned to winning ways in the Premier League, although the victory was far from straightforward. Everton’s aggressive approach caught Manchester City off guard, yet City, inspired by Pep Guardiola’s second-half adjustments, orchestrated another comeback to clinch a crucial win. Tactical analysis and match report by Rahul Madhavan. November cast a shadow over the blue […]
For the first time in a fair few years, the Club World Cup final felt like the much-awaited spectacle it ought to be. Manchester City versus Fluminense was not only a match between the best teams from Europe and South America, but it was also built up represent a wider clash between two differing approaches […]