Thread by @_TheNearPost

Manchester City under Pep Guardiola have constantly craved one thing- 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲.

𝗔 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 on how City have achieved these 'central overloads' so far— and a potential solution that could add another layer of depth and unpredictability.🔵🧵

Manchester City's dominance in the middle comes from one simple term- Overloads.

A tactic, wherein, one team has more players in a specific portion of the pitch, and in this case, the central areas.

Basically, this creates superiorities, as I've mentioned in previous threads. And that means dominance, suffocation, authority.

For Pep, controlling the middle has always been key, since it ensures complete ability to keep the ball and sustain pressure.

We have done this using 'false players'. Versatile profiles.

1- 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗕- Most common trick in the book. Typically, Pep Guardiola has loved the use of the inverted FB, wherein a left-back/right-back pushes into midfield to support the defensive midfielder.

(Credit to Coaches' Voice)
This offers two things:

- Quality in rest defence- more bodies to defend in the middle.
- More passing lanes- they open up more lanes, create more angles.

Fabian Delph and Zinchenko were famous for this- midfielders at heart, but used as a full-back.

This was more noticeable with Rico Lewis, who would 'stick' to his midfielder role, recycling possession and forming superiorties.

However, this also meant City were prone to conceding more, as none of the mentioned names could defend wide areas out of possession.

2- 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗲 9- With the decline of Sergio Aguero, and Gabriel Jesus out of favour, Pep saw a bright side to it- control.

Instead of a pure 9, Pep opted to use a midfielder up front- a highly technical player capable of operating under pressure and facilitating play.

Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva were the key false 9s. Why? Because they are comfortable on the ball in any area.

They can drift to either sides, pick up the ball in the first phase, make runs into the box. It ensured complete dominance, but it did not allow efficiency in the box

Furthermore, Pep tried 'double false 9s'- wherein, two men would drop deep, and make way for others to exploit the spaces up front.

This was first seen against Real Madrid in 2019/20, where KDB and Bernardo paved the way for Sterling and Jesus, who thrived.

3- 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗕- This was the ultimate move for Pep Guardiola- it had fixed City's efficiency in both boxes, a problem that had bothered them in the Champions League for ages.

With a 4 CB Backline, and Erling Haaland up front, Pep favoured the use of John Stones- a defender with a high understanding of the game- colossal at the back, versatile on the ball. He could pass under pressure, in any angle, and create overloads wherever he desired.

It also benefitted City's rest defence. Rather than travel diagonally to fill the wide areas, Stones only had to cover a short vertical line to defend the box.

Time and space, saved.

This allowed Haaland to play in the box and score, and also meant City could now defend more comfortably.

It was an incredible tweak that paved a path for efficiency in both boxes- the key to winning the Champions League.

This is how far we have come, but it has a key drawback- What do City do when John Stones is out?

Manu Akanji has not shown John's ability to invert from CB, as he is not as comfortable in knowing 'where to move'. His defending is also much better suited to the wide areas.

City have tried using Walker in wide right zones to allow a natural double pivot, but this means City lose a reliable source of width, owing to Walker's lack of technical security.

It's why I'd suggest City try:

- An 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗕- A strong, TECHNICAL profile with an incredible final third nose. This would allow a winger to play inside.

It would further facilitate a natural double pivot, meaning Kovacic and Nunes could be used as depth.

Observe Barca 22/23, Balde out wide, Gavi and Pedri inside, an amazing double pivot of De Jong and Busquets. Apply that to Manchester City, a superior team.

If John Stones is out, simply slot in a natural midfielder and play the wide fullback.

How bout Rico wide right :)

Valentin Barco has been strongly linked to us, but it also seems like he might end up being an interior.

Other names include Jeremy Frimpong, Alphonso Davies, Alejandro Balde and DiMarco, but all are unrealistic as it stands.

- 𝗝𝗼š𝗸𝗼 𝗚𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗹- The Croatian is a strong physical defender- what makes him a joke is that fact that he's able to make powerful strides but still maintain a beautiful sense of technical security- smooth on the turn, tight space play, promising final third vision.

His attributes mean that there's easily a chance Pep could try moulding him into an 'inverted CB'.

It may take time, as he will need to learn 'when to slow down', and when to carry into space, but he's exceptional. If John Stones is out, he would easily fill in and add depth.

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘂𝘀 𝗡𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘀- Is there a chance we see Pep ACTUALLY utilise him as an inverting right-back?

He has the skills to defend wide, win second balls, as well as the necessary tools to provide an extra possession option in the middle.

He has proven to be a perfect partner to Rodri, so a move to right back shouldn't be seen as impossible. Pep's stated it too.

However, this may also need time, as Pep has commented that Nunes needs to improve on many aspects, including his first touch.

All in all, though, this is the story of Manchester City's central dominance- and how it can evolve and continue with a few more tweaks....

Thanks for reading! Likes, RTs and follows appreciated!

Tagging those who may be interested:
@4lex_mcfc @CityzenAmerica @mrahsannaeem @city_tactics @StevenMcinerney @NicoMCI @SheikhMCI @7rsterling @daudi10emmanuel @philcaso
@BlueCityBrain @sriniwrites_ @MCFCTone @aar0n_nt @CityBIue @APieces_ @TacticsJournal @_Functionalplay @7harry__

Credit to @TheAthleticFC and @CoachesVoice for some images used.

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