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[Thread] @PepTeam’s dismantling of Manchester United in the Semi-Finals of the Carabao Cup:
![[Thread] @PepTeam’s dismantling of Manchester United in the Semi-Finals of the Carabao Cup:](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErSQZ5hXUAAImZ1.jpg "[Thread] @PepTeam’s dismantling of Manchester United in the Semi-Finals of the Carabao Cup:")
United pressed in a 4-3-3.
Once the line of confrontation was met, Martial and Rashford stepped to City’s CBs. They looked to force play wide.
City used a ‘double goalkeeper’ set up, with Rúben Días positioned alongside designated goalkeeper Zach Steffen.
Once the line of confrontation was met, Martial and Rashford stepped to City’s CBs. They looked to force play wide.
City used a ‘double goalkeeper’ set up, with Rúben Días positioned alongside designated goalkeeper Zach Steffen.
This structure crucially manipulated the angles at which Rashford would press Rúben Días (allowing more time).
Abiding with the positional play rules, John Stones stretched wider (Días as 2nd goalkeeper aids this).
Joao Cancelo was positioned inside next to Fernandinho.
Abiding with the positional play rules, John Stones stretched wider (Días as 2nd goalkeeper aids this).
Joao Cancelo was positioned inside next to Fernandinho.
The positional superiority achieved by Cancelo’s inversion is clear - Martial is forced to manipulate his pressing angle in order to block access to Cancelo.
This grants more space for Stones, allowing him and his teammates more time to execute.
This grants more space for Stones, allowing him and his teammates more time to execute.
Because Cancelo 2v1s Fernandes, Pogba is forced to step out of his midfield position to eliminate easy progression through Cancelo.
This opens space for a City player to receive off the back of Pogba - which Kevin De Bruyne performed with frequency.
This opens space for a City player to receive off the back of Pogba - which Kevin De Bruyne performed with frequency.
This indefensible space that Manchester United’s defensive structure contains stayed indefensible because of the positioning of Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden.
Maintaining the width, they pinned MU’s fullback from stepping to the interior receiving in the indefensible space.
Maintaining the width, they pinned MU’s fullback from stepping to the interior receiving in the indefensible space.
In attempt to shut this space, Fred (United’s defensive midfielder) started to follow De Bruyne as he made this movement.
@PepTeam’s solution:
Mahrez drops deeper to create numerical superiority (at a higher height) against United’s second line of pressure.
@PepTeam’s solution:
Mahrez drops deeper to create numerical superiority (at a higher height) against United’s second line of pressure.
As before with Cancelo, this movement from Mahrez must be counteracted with one from his teammates to maintain a structure that grants circulation and progression.
This was usually facilitated by one of the interiors (Gündogon or De Bruyne), who would increase their height.
This was usually facilitated by one of the interiors (Gündogon or De Bruyne), who would increase their height.
The reintroduction of interiors not only eased these interchanges of position, but it also created more space for the wingers.
Therefore, it also means wingers created more space for the interiors - Positional Play generates ‘dead’ or ‘dead’ decisions for the opposition.
Therefore, it also means wingers created more space for the interiors - Positional Play generates ‘dead’ or ‘dead’ decisions for the opposition.
‘Dead or Dead.’
@TacticoModerno @pressingtrigger @mezzala8 @ollie_himsworth @craigmoniz_ @JKFootbalI @utd_Visionary @C_Carpenter14 @EricLaurie @theblancotimes @thesinglepivot @elfals9
What did you think of Pep’s plan? I personally loved it as it maximized & exploited MU’s indefensible space.
What did you think of Pep’s plan? I personally loved it as it maximized & exploited MU’s indefensible space.
