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Pep went with a double pivot for the 4th match in a row against Fulham yesterday.
As promised in our earlier thread we’ve put together 7 advantages of this new this set up 1/ https://twitter.com/city_tactics/status/1334551927200354307
As promised in our earlier thread we’ve put together 7 advantages of this new this set up 1/ https://twitter.com/city_tactics/status/1334551927200354307
1: Full backs pushed higher and wider.
With 2 dms the full backs aren’t required to invert in midfield and can get more involved in the final 3rd.
The natural width Mendy and Walker/Cancelo provide stretches the pitch offering attacking outlets and creating space for others 2/
With 2 dms the full backs aren’t required to invert in midfield and can get more involved in the final 3rd.
The natural width Mendy and Walker/Cancelo provide stretches the pitch offering attacking outlets and creating space for others 2/
2: Cover.
Rodri is given company to guard against the counter. Having Gundogan alongside him gives him some much needed support and guards against Rodri being isolated on the counter as we’ve seen earlier in the season 3/
Rodri is given company to guard against the counter. Having Gundogan alongside him gives him some much needed support and guards against Rodri being isolated on the counter as we’ve seen earlier in the season 3/
In this example Fulham break the initial press (KDB + front 3). Rodri engages high, knowing Gundogan is backing him up. When Rodri is beaten Gundogan engages. When Gundogan is beaten Rodri is back to tidy up. With one dm this it’s impossible to engage like this 4/
3: Rodri Given Freedom.
Both defensively and offensively. This is important. As we’ve seen with Gundogan directly next to him Rodri can leave the centre of the pitch to hunt the ball down. This gives him the opportunities to create. Here setting up the the opener v Burnley 5/
Both defensively and offensively. This is important. As we’ve seen with Gundogan directly next to him Rodri can leave the centre of the pitch to hunt the ball down. This gives him the opportunities to create. Here setting up the the opener v Burnley 5/
4: Progressing Possession.
The double pivot also allows Gundogan or Rodri to drop wide to receive possession with the other dm holding the centre of the pitch. Further, as here against Burnley, both can drop wide allowing Stones to step up into dm 6/
The double pivot also allows Gundogan or Rodri to drop wide to receive possession with the other dm holding the centre of the pitch. Further, as here against Burnley, both can drop wide allowing Stones to step up into dm 6/
Rodri and Gundogan provide the centre backs with deeper options to progress possession. Both are great on the ball and having an extra deeper option creates more ways to progress possession up the pitch 7/
5: KDB roams.
Pushed up into a free role alongside the front 3 KDB can do damage from every angle.
He has 3 assists and a goal in 2 matches in the role.
His xg90 is 0.78 (0.4 his previous PL matches this season)
His xa90 is 0.64 (0.38 in his previous PL matches this season) 8/
Pushed up into a free role alongside the front 3 KDB can do damage from every angle.
He has 3 assists and a goal in 2 matches in the role.
His xg90 is 0.78 (0.4 his previous PL matches this season)
His xa90 is 0.64 (0.38 in his previous PL matches this season) 8/
It should be pointed out at this point that the opposition (Burnley and Fulham) have been softer than average in the 2 matches De Bruyne has played the role.
But the signs are promising 9/
But the signs are promising 9/
6: A Better Initial Press.
Pushing De Bruyne high creates an extra body for the initial press. Not only that but it add the most intelligent player at the club with the best leadership skills. The result is a better, more intelligent, initial press 10/
Pushing De Bruyne high creates an extra body for the initial press. Not only that but it add the most intelligent player at the club with the best leadership skills. The result is a better, more intelligent, initial press 10/
7: Support For Inverted Wingers.
With the full backs pushing higher and playing wider engaging the opposition defence, it gives the inverted wingers more time and space to work their magic 11/
With the full backs pushing higher and playing wider engaging the opposition defence, it gives the inverted wingers more time and space to work their magic 11/
Here against Fulham Cancelo charges down up the wing before feeding Mahrez who has his full back isolated on the byline but can’t quite pick out Jesus.
Previously this season we’ve seen the inverted wingers pick up possession deep without any support 12/
Previously this season we’ve seen the inverted wingers pick up possession deep without any support 12/
A very positive thread but it’s not all good news.
The next thread will focus on the weaknesses created by the double pivot and if it is suitable for a Manchester derby.
Thanks for reading! Any likes, retweets and follows are really appreciated 13//
The next thread will focus on the weaknesses created by the double pivot and if it is suitable for a Manchester derby.
Thanks for reading! Any likes, retweets and follows are really appreciated 13//
