Thread by @MT_Analysis

Manchester City vs Burnley

· Burnley’s Man-To-Man Press
· Pep Guardiola’s Answers
· Ederson’s Ball-playing
· Direct to Haaland – Foden
· Fluid Rotations and Combination Play
· Set-pieces (Rodri)

[THREAD]

Just like on the pre-season, Ederson often acted as the extra CB in possession to help the build-up, which also helped Walker to push forward and Rico Lewis inverted.

He became the extra man on possession against Burnley’s man-to-man press.

Burnley high pressed with man to man and tried to close the access to City's double pivot.

There was quite a distance in between the lines of Burnley's press/block, and because of that De Bruyne/Alvarez tried to take advantage of it.

Unlike Rodri who is more of a No.6, Lewis moves a lot to find/create the space (to wider/more advanced zones).

Which also created space for De Bruyne to drop into the double pivot.

Almost identical example.

The presence of Haaland can make City progress in various ways. His hold-up play + link-up play with other players (ex: Foden) from 2nd line can help City to progress/attack several times.

With the press, Burnley got a dangerous opportunity which was almost converted into a goal.

De Bruyne’s injury forced Pep to make some adjustments.

With a more of 4-3-3, Bernardo and Kovacic as the 8s.

Rico Lewis was also in wider zones than before.

I think Pep gave more freedom (for his players) to counter Burnley’s man-to-man press. That’s why the rotations and the combination play involved more players.

With Kovacic – Rodri – Bernardo playing close with each other, it also adds more fluidity.

The movements and the timing of the runs can help to open up the space for other players.

But still, direct play mostly became the best option to create more dangerous chances from that situation.

Often to Haaland and Foden.

With the help of Ederson's long-ball ability

Picture from @htomufc

As in the previous example, Walker often moves forward to be in more advanced positions.

City's central combinations (Kovacic and Rodri) were able to open up the space for Foden who then provided Walker with a through ball.

Alvarez 🤝 Haaland

Despite being quite dangerous from open play, Manchester City scored two goals from set pieces.

From the 1st goal, City did a short corner with Foden – Bernardo – De Bruyne combined with each other, which then created space for De Bruyne to cross.

Burnley was one of the teams with the most goals conceded from corners (10) in the 22/23 Championship.

Before his goal, Rodri got a chance from a free kick.

Even as a DM, Rodri can also offer attacking output for Manchester City.

Goalscoring might not be the 1st priority to look at a DM, but Rodri can provide that.

He also assisted Haaland’s 1st goal.

From the start, Burnley played a lot direct to their front 4 due to Manchester City's press.

Because of that, winning the 2nd ball was very important for them to progress.

Burnley relied on the 2nd ball and performed quick combinations to attack.

Burnley played with 3-4-3 to 3-2-5, with the wing-back advanced and the front 3 close with each other in central areas, therefore can combine more easily.

Tactically Pep's Man City vs Kompany's Burnley was a good match,

Kompany's man-to-man press made it difficult, but Pep has the answers and also the better players.