🚨 Control Without the Ball: Pep’s patient and suffocating domination 🚨

IN-DEPTH THREAD looking at Pep’s out-of-possession approach in their 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final!

Let’s talk tactics: Pep set his team up in a flat 4-2-4 out of possession.

The goal from the front 4 was to block any pass into the double pivot and the fullbacks. We rarely saw a jump from Haaland/Cherki, as their focus was on the Arsenal double pivot, at all times. We can see how Semenyo angles his body so that he blocks the pass from LCB to LB.

At times, we saw a jump, more from Doku on Saliba, which forced Arsenal back, allowing City to sit again in the 4-2-4.

MAN CITY VS LIVERPOOL THREAD 🧵!

Pep quite simply outclassed Slot.

From the press forcing LFC one way, to the midfield overload that confused the LFC players. City’s performance in possession was superb, and that stems from Pep’s approach.

Let’s talk tactics: The approach from Pep was similar to the Bournemouth game, with wingers coming inside to overload and overwhelm the LFC double pivot.

Bernardo/Nico dropping into the backline to overload the LFC first line.

Szoboszlai dropped at times to pick up one of the midfielders, but that meant that LFC had one less player higher up = City possession.

Sunderland vs Arsenal thread 🧵!

Arsenal had an initial game plan that didn't work. Sunderland were fairly comfortable in the 1st half, but in the 2nd half, Arsenal were superb.

A few changes led to complete dominance, which helped them score 2 goals.

Let's talk tactics: Arsenal’s initial approach was to have Rice/Zubimendi as part of the buildup to try and bait the Sunderland pivot to create space between the lines.

Xhaka/Sadiki would jump, creating so much space as seen here.

The idea makes sense.

Man City’s in possession approach vs Bournemouth THREAD 🧵!

Pep set up his team with the intention of overloading the center against Bournemouth. In possession, they did that brilliantly and found success thanks to a typical Pep "masterclass".

Let’s talk tactics: With Bournemouth pressing in a 442, Pep had one of Bernardo/Nico drop in to form a back 3, simple 3v2 on the first line of pressure.

Higher up, he had Cherki and Doku drop centrally to overload the Bournemouth double pivot.

With fullbacks wide, they were able to go outside, then access the center with ease.

City's out of possession issues vs Villa THREAD 🧵!

City's press has been a huge topic of discussion with Pep Lijnders as part of the coaching staff this season. Against Aston Villa, we saw a poor City press that was consistently bypassed.

Let's talk tactics: City pressed in a 4-1-5 shape.

Bernardo and Foden joined Haaland in the first line of pressure, they would jump on the ball side cb with Haaland pressing the GK, the wingers were tasked with pressing the Villa fullbacks.

When Villa chose to go down the left through Pau Torres, City shifted with Bernardo shifting to press the ball side 6 (Onana).

Reijnders was the +1 screening the backline rather than jumping and taking part in the press with Savinho disengaged from the press.

Liverpool's approach vs Everton:

With Slot constantly praising PSG's approach in possession and the fluidity they have with the ball, we're slowly seeing his side try to emulate the rotations/fluidity/movement that made the PSG team so great last season

Let's talk tactics: Last season Gravenberch was predominantly the first receiver in midfield from the backline.

He'd be receiving on his own or have Mac Allister form a double pivot next to him.

We still saw that vs Everton but we saw Grav often receive pass then rotate out of the pivot.

Brentford vs Chelsea:

Chelsea with their usual 3diamond3 but Andrews did brilliantly to counter that with his OOP shape. At half time we saw a change from Maresca, who saw his team take control and score twice. Ultimately, a draw seems like the fair result!

Let's talk tactics: Chelsea went with their usual 3diamond3 IP.

Brentford countered that with a 5 diamond 1, one of the strikers followed Caicedo, with the other one situationally pressing the CBs.

Occasionally, Brentford would jump collectively to press Chelsea and found some success in doing so.

Spurs vs PSG Thread!

Thomas Frank set his team up in a 3-5-2/5-3-2, but rather than sitting back, he pressed PSG man to man and gave his team their best chance of winning. Lack of depth and quality cost them at the end, but a top performance nontheless.

Lets talk tactics: PSG ended up going long a few times during the match, which is quite uncharacteristic of them.

We all know Enrique's team as one that likes playing out from the back and playing through the team.

Well, let's look at why this happened!

PSG vs Liverpool:

PSG, one of the best teams I've seen this season, the fluidity, rotations, they had it all. Meanwhile, LFC's defensive approach didn't really work until a small tweak in the second half.

Let's talk tactics: PSG were predominantly in a 3-2-5 in possession with Mendes forming a back 3 and Vitinha/Neves as the double pivot.

They had a player high and wide on each side, with 3 players between the lines.

LFC defended in a 4-2-4 shape, something we've seen a lot of this season.

Manchester City vs Liverpool

Tactical Analysis

Thread! LFC lined up in a 4-2-2-2 with double 10s Szoboszlai and Jones.

The aim was to use Gravenberch/Mac Allister as decoys at times to open up the direct pass to the 10s.

LFC were really direct and vertical and looked at switching play/attacking the backline after the initial pass.

MANCHESTER CITY VS SPURS TACTICAL ANALYSIS MINI THREAD:
As usual, City dominated and controlled the ball. But conte had a plan that centered around the world class, Harry Kane. This short thread will be going through some key aspects of the match! Enjoy! City lined up in their usual 4-3-3 with the wingers on their natural sides and Bernardo as the false 9. Cancelo on the left to create overloads with Walker staying central.
Spurs lined up in a 5-4-1 which transformed into a 3-4-3 whenever they had possession of the ball.

JUVENTUS VS CHELSEA: TACTICAL ANALYSIS THREAD: TUCHEL OUTCLASSED? Chelsea went with their favored 3-4-2-1 whereas Allegri went with his classic 4-4-2 in the UCL. Tuchel had switched back to a 3-4-2-1 with two inside forwards rather than the 3-5-2 that led to the loss against City.

ARSENAL VS SPURS: TACTICAL ANALYSIS THREAD: Lineups: Arsenal went with a 4-2-3-1 as opposed to the 4-3-3 in their last couple of games, using the return of midfielder Granit Xhaka from suspension. Spurs remained with their 4-3-3 that they lost 3-0 with against Chelsea.

BRENTFORD VS LIVERPOOL: BRENTFORD ANALYSIS THREAD: Brentford tend to use the 3-5-2 which has been their shape all season. Really well balanced team that presses high, can also block space in a solid and compact 5-3-2 shape.