PositionalPlay Profile picture
Apr 12, 2023 14 tweets 9 min read Read on X
It was definitely a very high-level game as anticipated between Man City and Bayern, the strongest two teams in the world right now according to FiveThirtyEight. Eventually, the score line was mostly decided by individual mistakes but there were many things to talk about… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Tuchel used 4-2-3-1 to perfectly get the shape with Man City’s on-ball structure. City’s narrow 3-2 build-up was matched with a narrow 3-1, and Goretzka and Kimmich controlling the central channels, 2 CBs on Haaland, FBs on wingers. Image
The narrow tip pushed City to play wider, when the wide CB receives the ball, the ball side DM stuck on City’s AM, and opposite DM came to the center of the pitch. This left the only numerical advantage for City at the very far corner from the ball carrier. City CBs tried finding… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… ImageImage
Bayern set their pressing traps when the wide center back passed to the even wider option. Bayern’s best chance in the first half came from a turnover with this press. ImageImageImage
When City could break the press and push Bayern to low block, Bayern tried to continue using the same structure. Image
At one of those times when Bayern tried to settle at low block, Gnabry couldn’t understand that Musiala was thinking they switched and left the zone open for Rodri. It was a situation if Rodri hadn’t hung it to the far corner with his opposite foot, we wouldn’t be talking about,… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… Image
Until the goal, Bayern also tried using offensive transitions effectively. City leaves 5 players for rest defense, with narrow structure, they close the central channels in defensive transitions, however, wider corridors stay open. When Bayern wins the ball at advantageous… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… ImageImage
Now, let’s look at City’s out-of-possession structure and Bayern’s build-up. Guardiola started the game with an asymmetric 4-4-2 structure against Bayern’s 4-2 build-up. Grealish stayed between Upa and Pavard while Bernardo played closer to Davies. This was a bit different than… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… Image
This made the 1st line of pressure to jump on CBs and losing their coverage to passing lanes to central players. As they lost central players behind them, Gundo and Rodri came closer to them, and Musiala and Gnabry who constantly dropped deep between 2nd and 3rdlines of pressure… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… ImageImageImageImage
When City’s first line stopped jumping, this time one of Bayern’s DM started dropping between CBs and Bayern started to form a line of 5 over City’s 2nd line of pressure consisting of 4 players. Image
Around 60th minute, Guardiola turned back to the pressing structure he has been using recently. I have to say that on paper this pressing structure looks much more dangerous and while having the score advantage switching this structure requires a lot of courage, but it was… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… Image
The high press turned out to be very effective, forced Bayern players to make mistakes. Mistakes brought more mistakes, first 2ndgoal came, and then Bayern players completely lost their concentration and control. After that moment, Bayern could’ve conceded more than one goal. ImageImageImage
Eventually two simple mistakes helped City to get a big advantage before the 2nd leg. Tuchel’s game plan was really good and Bayern players did a good job applying it at first 30 mins of the game. However, City players showed great concentration and devotion, they mentally beat… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Screenshots were edited with Once Video Analyser PRO - @11OnceSport #OncePRO

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More from @pstionalplay

Oct 9, 2023
Few observations on Arsenal–City game, but before going deeper, I should tell I understand the frustration of people not enjoying the game. Tbh although I am obsessed with Guardiola’s Arteta’s brand of football, enjoy following their teams, I also didn’t enjoy the game a lot.
I think the main reason why the game was less enjoyable is that both coaches were fine with 0-0. City wanted to control the game, and Arsenal mostly wanted to close the space, both to minimize the risk.

Anyways, let’s go into a bit details:
Pep started the game from almost where he left off last time against Arsenal. He continued emphasizing the central overloads. He just preferred more players during build-up and reduced the tempo further, which makes sense when they didn’t have Rodri.
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Read 21 tweets
Jun 14, 2023
Here are my threads, articles, and videos related to Man City and their rise in the second half of the season:

1) Haaland's role and intro to 3-2-2-3:
2) vs Everton (3-2-2-3 struggles against back 5):

3) vs Wolves (Opponents started to challenge. A fine attempt to stop 3-2-2-3 with a back 4, but not good enough):

Read 22 tweets
Jun 11, 2023
Guardiola’s structure in possession was certainly not overthinking. To overcome 5-3-2, you must create these overloads and City’s structure provided advantages over Inter’s structure on the paper, but implementation was a bit below City’s average. Image
Even after winning CL, Guardiola slightly complained about how they couldn’t use the space at/around Stones’ zone. Against City’s 3-1-5-1, Inter’s 5-3-2 mid/high press was a bit risky. We saw Dzeko was located at the center and Lautaro was at the left side at the first line.
The placement of 2nd line players was interesting. Calhanoglu was between Rodri and Stones, but mostly on Rodri, Brozovic was on no 10, Barella was between KdB and Ake, but mostly on Ake. Image
Read 15 tweets
Jun 10, 2023
Just watched the game again. I am considering to work on it further and write something longer, but just a few notes:
1-City's high press in 1H was very good but they got really tired towards the end of the game.
2-Inter's press was surprisingly risky. As City overloaded left side, a huge space opened at right inner corridor but City couldn't switch the ball there effectively.
3-Using KdB deeper at left half space and Gundogan at 10 was a mistake. They switched around min 25. If KdB could've played a bit longer as no 10, City could've scored much sooner.
Read 6 tweets
Jun 10, 2023
The line-up was a bit confusing but structures were almost the expected structure for City both in and out of possession.
The only thing I am surprised regarding structure is that City are using 3-1 at deep build-up, but it looks like it is to bait wide CM and create space for no 8 behind him. I still have some question marks with the personnel selection though.
Firstly, starting Gundo as no 10, KdB at left half space didn't work well. Maybe if City could've built more from RHS, it would've been a strong option at switch plays, but they couldn't (or didn't) specifically try that.
Read 8 tweets
May 18, 2023
City might have used the same structure in possession and the exact same lineup of 1st leg, but with totally different intention; destroying their opponent.

All of us had talked about how cautious Pep was in the 1stleg. We had all looked for that extra man coming from behind… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… Image
Position is a communicative element in football, and City players are masters of this language. In that sense, De Bruyne is the reference for all teammates. His movement tells his teammates what they want to do in attacking third, while his dynamism (lateral mobility) makes the… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… ImageImage
Switch plays to use +1s or advantageous 1v1s at far field, one of Pep’s trademark plays, were again extremely useful yesterday. ImageImage
Read 9 tweets

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