Thread by @city_tactics

A few notes on the Manchester Derby 1/

Never try to predict Pep’s team or approach - practically impossible. But here goes. Expect City to go with a double pivot of Rodri and Gundogan as detailed in previous threads 2/

https://twitter.com/city_tactics/status/1335644973392400388

With Dias and Stones/Laporte City are much better prepared to deal with United’s counters and set pieces which caused so many problems last season.
One or both of Fernandinho and Otamendi started all 4 derbies at centre back last term 3/

The double pivot will be expected to snuff out most counters before the centre backs are engaged. This is a big test for Rodri and Gundogan and their athleticism could be an issue as detailed below 4/

https://twitter.com/city_tactics/status/1336005110011482112

Look out for high and wide full backs like we’ve seen since the Spurs defeat. This will indicate Pep’s confidence in Gundogan and Rodri to deal with United’s pace on the break 5/

If the full backs are deeper, or lop sided with Walker deeper, we can suspect Pep still harbours doubts in the defensive abilities of the double pivot 6/

Higher and wider full backs are also key for City’s inverted wingers. It’s no coincidence that Mahrez has hit form as soon as the right back has been pushed on. High full backs divert attention from the wingers and give them more opportunities to weave their magic 7/

Expect to see KDB in a free role popping up all across the front line. If De Bruyne sees enough of the ball and plays well, City play well 8/

United will sit in and look to counter. The average positions from their PL win at the Etihad last season show the plan. City will hope the tweaked set up prevents Rodri and the centre backs being isolated on the counter as they were to devastating effect on this occasion 9/

City’s double pivot will also need to keep a close eye on Bruno Fernandes. As important to United as De Bruyne is to City. He’s industrious, opportunistic and not short of talent. Everything he does has a purpose 10/

As always with City the first goal could be key. They can’t afford to have bad spells in this one as we’ve seen in some games this season. And when City pile on the pressure the goals must come 11/

The momentum a win here creates going into a kind run of fixtures can’t be underestimated. Biggest match of the season so far for more reasons than the obvious - time to go Old Trafford and put on a show 12//

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