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Tactically & psychologically!
(A thread)
Tactically & psychologically!
(A thread)
This will be a long one, grab a coffee, water or whatever you like.
As it was quite obvious, there was man to man marking & pressing. Fred & Eriksen were shadows to KDB & Rodri respectively.
As it was quite obvious, there was man to man marking & pressing. Fred & Eriksen were shadows to KDB & Rodri respectively.
Also, the whole block was compact as much as and as often as they could. You could picture the whole outfield in this frame (everyone in the middle 3rd)
The pressing scheme was quite central and they didn't mind the ball being switched to a free fullback.
But the intention was to stay close to the midfielders, cut lanes and further supply, block them from playing through the middle.
But the intention was to stay close to the midfielders, cut lanes and further supply, block them from playing through the middle.
After finding less joy from the wide and the midfielders being marked well, Ake decides to go long but United is able to intercept this and start from the back.
Having enough bodies in the middle meant the passing into the central areas has to be precise and here it is not and is easily intercepted.
You could again see how Walker is free but more importantly the passing options are not there as you can see Fred is close to his man.
United find a bit of joy, a lovely triangle there to play out of pressure.
Growing in confidence, they manage to chain this entire sequence from back to front:
long ball from De Gea to Martial, he gives it to Fred to Rashford comes back to Martial. Malacia is offside.
long ball from De Gea to Martial, he gives it to Fred to Rashford comes back to Martial. Malacia is offside.
City missing their routine pass, United in a good structure, in close proximity to their men, win the ball and attack. Bruno's shot slightly wide.
Bruno not happy with his shot, Pep not happy with his team.
Rodri not his usual self, affected by Eriksen's relentless shadowing and other factors mentioned, misplacing a simple pass.
Foden a bit eager and is offside for the 2nd time, Pep showing his disappointment again.
Fred being the extra defensive body in midfield clearly helped in evading dangerous situations.
Rodri getting affected, watch him raise his arms in frustration, for getting pressed.
Ake trying the direct route, going long again. De Gea is standing a bit ahead and comes out to collect it with ease.
Watch this clip till the end. Summarizes the 1st half very well.
To be continued... (2nd half)
Pep clearly gave a pep talk ;)
City came back with urgency, Rodri dropped deep to get some time on the ball. de Bruyne here pulled Fred back which allowed Walker to utilise the vacant inside right channel.
City came back with urgency, Rodri dropped deep to get some time on the ball. de Bruyne here pulled Fred back which allowed Walker to utilise the vacant inside right channel.
Pep wanting to intrude the center more, pushed Walker so far into the middle. Even Haaland known for staying up started dropping deep. A rather unusual sight.
Pulling players out, if not, using the open spaces since their designated markers were N/A or won't follow them that far
Pulling players out, if not, using the open spaces since their designated markers were N/A or won't follow them that far
You can see Haaland again being that extra midfielder, he was the defenders' man not a midfielder's which gives him unmarked facility in this space for him.
Again, de Bruyne first drops deep attracts Fred with him. Give and take with Walker, then Mahrez, frees him and he carries the ball and his cross is not maximized by the teammate.
Again, Mahrez & Walker causing confusion, disrupting United's structure. They are so far inside and deep (numerical superiority in the middle). Rodri then has time to find Mahrez, his pass beats 3 United players. Eventual low cross is taken care of Shaw.
City's repetition eventually pays off. Not by design, by situation Fred goes to Mahrez, Walker pulls Malacia which leaves KDB free. Rashford should have been a bit more alert. Too late by the time KDB was tracked by Casemiro.
Mahrez & Walkerπ§
Mahrez & Walkerπ§
After conceding, United find their focus and intensity.
The confusion of markers, change in personnel, all that is forgotten. The defense is again high, higher than the midblock of 1st half. Going behind creates that spark. Risky but much better.
The confusion of markers, change in personnel, all that is forgotten. The defense is again high, higher than the midblock of 1st half. Going behind creates that spark. Risky but much better.
Pressing is the most intense and aggressive it has ever been in the game. Casemiro and especially AWB (resists 3 players) igniting that spark, belief and confidence. This energy is infectious. Results in a shot.
United's energy is high, City faltering again.
United riding the wave again and have regained control.
United riding the wave again and have regained control.
Garnacho's introduction fuels the fire even more.
Observe Shaw winning the ball high on the pitch.
The move ends up with him crossing the ball, almost like he is doubling-up as a LB too. Only Varane & AWB, just 2 defenders, staying back.
Observe Shaw winning the ball high on the pitch.
The move ends up with him crossing the ball, almost like he is doubling-up as a LB too. Only Varane & AWB, just 2 defenders, staying back.
United are running wild and hunting in packs. Won the ball and quickly transition to attack and boom, the score is levelled. City could do little to keep a lid at this stage, unable to match their energy. Smart play by Rashford and Bruno.
https://twitter.com/SDScomps/status/1614568930596761601
Another transition on the left-hand side. Ball bounces off twice but returns to United in this entire play. Fortune favors the brave they say right? Garnacho becomes the youngest to assist in a Manchester derby at the age of 18 years and 197 days.
Rashford can't stop scoring. In the form of his life, his best goals/mins return. Loving life under ten Hag. Unleashed. There was a cry to create more tap-ins, the easier or so-called big chances.
Garnacho is smart & sensible to flash one across. Rashford puts it between the legs. ten Hag is buzzing, punching the air and the crowd has gone berserk. The team, the crowd and ten Hag thoroughly deserve this moment. What a day. We can believe again!
City lost any confidence after this. ten Hag adds more more defensive bodies to see through the remaining minutes and City barely threaten. ten Hag first nullified Pep's City in the first half and then responded to adversity. Brilliant game management.
One can argue- should've led first in the first half when Rashford had those chances, but it doesn't matter now.
Thank you for reading and watching every bit. Really appreciate your time and attention. Please like and RT, share in your GCs. This was my lengthiest content.
Thank you for reading and watching every bit. Really appreciate your time and attention. Please like and RT, share in your GCs. This was my lengthiest content.
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