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As promised - 5 pitfalls of playing a double pivot for City. A thread 1/
1: Breaking the Initial Press.
De Bruyne is pushed further up in this set up, often creating a front 4 that presses as one unit. If the initial press is broken by a good pass into midfield City can quickly find themselves outnumbered 2/
De Bruyne is pushed further up in this set up, often creating a front 4 that presses as one unit. If the initial press is broken by a good pass into midfield City can quickly find themselves outnumbered 2/
In this example against Fulham the front 4 press the 3 defenders but Aina finds a good ball down the line to Decordova-Reid. That pass takes City’s front 4 out of the game and gives Fulham a numerical advantage up the pitch 3/
This time Decordova-Reid’s turn doesn’t work out but if it did he takes Mendy and the central midfielders out of the game. That would leave him bearing down on Dias who only has Stones and Cancelo for support, creating a 4 on 3 situation for Fulham 4/
2: Loss of Creativity.
When compared with the 17/18 & 18/19 teams this new set up has effectively swapped David Silva (at 8) for Gundogan (at dm).
Silva was the creative hub for City and this leaves KDB shouldering a huge amount of creative responsibility 5/
When compared with the 17/18 & 18/19 teams this new set up has effectively swapped David Silva (at 8) for Gundogan (at dm).
Silva was the creative hub for City and this leaves KDB shouldering a huge amount of creative responsibility 5/
3: Double Pivot Athleticism.
Gundogan and Rodri are great on the ball but both are slow. They struggle to get to danger in time when City are countered. City don’t have an athletic dm such as prime Fernandinho who can cover the required ground 6/
Gundogan and Rodri are great on the ball but both are slow. They struggle to get to danger in time when City are countered. City don’t have an athletic dm such as prime Fernandinho who can cover the required ground 6/
This is a major reason for the shift to a double pivot. When alone at dm Rodri or Gundogan need help 7/
5: Central Support From FBs Lost.
That help usually comes from inverted full backs. With the full backs playing higher and wider City lose this insurance policy guarding against the counter 8/
That help usually comes from inverted full backs. With the full backs playing higher and wider City lose this insurance policy guarding against the counter 8/
Walker’s pace and strength have been vital when defending counters for City - as detailed below. If he is further up the pitch, and wider, City will be reliant on the dms snuffing out danger 9/ https://twitter.com/city_tactics/status/1334073138095796225
5: De Bruyne Moved From 8.
Time will tell if this is a positive or negative. But we should flag moving De Bruyne from his right sided 8 position into a free 10 is risky. KDB has been world class in the former and now has to show he can be world class in the latter 10/
Time will tell if this is a positive or negative. But we should flag moving De Bruyne from his right sided 8 position into a free 10 is risky. KDB has been world class in the former and now has to show he can be world class in the latter 10/
Next up will be a run down of how/if this set up works in a Manchester Derby. Any likes, retweets and follow really appreciated. Thanks for reading 
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