It was always going to be a worry for Pep's side going into the Bernabeu with his team's recent approach, a 2-3 build up shape with the fullbacks holding the width on both wings. Nico, Foden and Bernardo all occupying deep areas to overload the opponent.
Maresca's 4-3-3 shape on the ball had Gusto alongside Caicedo and Enzo in midfield to match up with Liverpool's midfield 3.
Following the result at the Molineux, Pep decided not to change much in terms of his tactical setup, in and out of possession. RAN, Dias, and Stones forming the 3 at the back with Rico inverting into midfield (a bit higher up), but against a different setup (Spurs’ 4-2-3-1 block).
City’s 3-2-5 shape in possession featured Rico and Nico as the 2 pivots with Stones, Ait-Nouri, and Dias as the CBs, but a different dynamic, which we rarely see from a Pep side away from home. With Ait-Nouri dropping to the 3rd center back, we see a lot of distance between the back 3. Stones and Ait-Nouri wide to Dias occasionally, with Nico / Rico dropping deeper to help progress.
For a long time in the game, we’ve seen wingers being accustomed to occupying wide areas with the preference of staying on the outside of the opposition fullbacks in most situations. Supporting fullbacks either make overlapping or underlapping runs behind to create space for the winger to exploit inside, coming in from the wide areas, and creating double-width scenarios. Recently, we’re noticing a consistent increase in trend in teams with this shift making a huge wave in the 2025/26 season due to player strengths, flexibility in system, and coaching changes.
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Mancity's lineup saw Bernardo join Nico as the double pivot in possession with Marmoush on the right and Gundogan in as the #10 dropping deep. Nunes was tasked to be higher up the pitch with the aim to attack the space in behind with overlapping & underlapping runs 
Pep's decision to leave out wingers against Palace raised some eyebrows but his plan was clear to see on the day. Crystal Palace defended in a 5-3-2 block against City OOP. This shape has given them compactness in recent games leading to few goals conceded. 
Arsenal set up as usual in their 3-2-5 shape in possession with Skelly and Partey as the pivots in the 3-2 build up. Timber acting as the 3rd CB as he has been all season. Real Madrid's 4-4-2 block OOP was used to effectively counter Arsenal's shape. 
Spurs fullbacks are known to push high up into advanced areas when the team sets up in possession. When they aren't high up, they often occupy inverted positions. This means Chelsea forwards have to put in work in covering Spurs' fullbacks as they occupy narrow lanes.
In the first leg, we saw Real Madrid's threat from wing areas, and this was a major issue for Atletico from early periods in this game.
Haaland's return was a big boost for his side as he looked to return back to scoring and winning ways
United rolled out with their usual 3-4-2-1 in possession as Bruno and Zirkzee as the two 10s in this shape. We saw Bruno operate differently from Zirkzee in the role of coming deep to dictate play as Bruno did majorly in the first half. This enabled Dorgu to be very high up. 
Newcastle set up in a 5-4-1 midblock with Murphy dropping to form the back 5. With Newcastle's midfield line so narrow aiming to restrict City from playing, Pep overloaded this area with the 2-3-5.
Nuno changed the setup from Bournemouth transitioning from a 4-4-2 OOP to a 5-3-2. This tweak made sure his side were defensively compact. Gibbs White, Danilo and Andersen were the 3 in the middle with Elanga and Wood pairing up front. Brighton set up in a 4-1-4-1 on/off the ball 
Bournemouth's set up against forest was the perfect choice against a team that rarely press and go man to man when players switch zones (Forest). With Forest's wingers tasked to mark FBs and MGW on Adams, Wood was isolated with the 2 CBs who set up really wide from each other. 
Havertz commits to the RCB to allow Martinelli (LW) to exploit this overload. This action is all because Havertz or the CF avoids the first man defender. Teams now plan to defend this unlike last season.
Pep needs signings to sustain his season. Last night was the eye opener that City have to cash in big in the transfer market.
