City vs Sheffield Analysis (A THREAD)

This game's set-up was very similar to Marseille. Sheffield played in a 3-5-2 low/mid block system, compressing the space in the middle like most of the teams that play against us. Check out how we overcame this system against Sheffield.

1. The set up in possession:
The priority was creating a numerical advantage in defence and mid to create space for wingers. City shifted to a 3-1-3-3 formation on the ball with Walker dropping with the CBs and Rodri playing as a lone DM. Cancelo, KDB, Silva played in the middle.

So, it formed a 3v2 superiority in defence and a 4v3 superiority in midfield (Check the picture).
Cancelo played as an inverted fullback which meant Sterling was 1v1 against Baldock. Similarly, on the right Mahrez held his width with KDB tucking into the right half space.

2. Rodri role:
Rodri was tasked as a lone DM. His role was to collect the ball from the CBs and keep the ball moving quickly.
The solution to a low block system is to use the width fully by switching the ball quickly to the other side and Rodri did this perfectly.

Some stats of Rodri and City to back that up:
No of times City switched the play against West Ham: 11
No of times Rodri switched the play against West Ham: 3
No of times City switched the play against Sheffield: 23
No of times Rodri switched the play against Sheffield: 7

The stats were even better against Marseille with City switching the play 28 times and Rodri with 10 times and that's because a left footed player played on the left wing and right footed player on the right, whereas against Sheffield it was the opposite with Mahrez and Sterling.

3. Ferran Torres' movement
Special mention to the movement as a no 9 by Ferran Torres. He was outstanding in that role and only lacked the finishing touch. The Sheffield back 3 were always on their toes and it helped the likes of Sterling, KDB massively.
Check the picture.

Conclusion:
This is an effective system against the low block teams. If Sterling and Foden started in RW and LW respectively, the result would've been even better. Walker, Cancelo and Rodri understood and implemented their role perfectly.