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City's 3-1-3-3: A THREAD
The 3-1-3-3 set-up on the ball is serving City really well in the recent games. Apart from the obvious observations, I also noticed some different things that Pep has tried to implement and I'll try and show this.
The 3-1-3-3 set-up on the ball is serving City really well in the recent games. Apart from the obvious observations, I also noticed some different things that Pep has tried to implement and I'll try and show this.
1. During the buildup:
Opposition usually drop off when City have the ball and allow the CBs and the GK time on the ball and mark the players who can create a goal scoring opportunity. During this, City try and create numerical superiority in both defence and midfield.
Opposition usually drop off when City have the ball and allow the CBs and the GK time on the ball and mark the players who can create a goal scoring opportunity. During this, City try and create numerical superiority in both defence and midfield.
Some opponents also try and prevent City from buliding out from the back during goalkicks. They usually don't press Ederson and instead mark the defensive midfielder and the CBs. So Pep has adapted to this by dropping Dias with Ederson with the RCB and LB moving to the wing.
2. Overlapping CBs
Sheffield United were the masters of overlapping CBs during last season and it looks like City are also starting to use this more often in order to create overloads against teams that have 9 men near the penalty area. Since we bulidup in a 3-1-3-3...
Sheffield United were the masters of overlapping CBs during last season and it looks like City are also starting to use this more often in order to create overloads against teams that have 9 men near the penalty area. Since we bulidup in a 3-1-3-3...
...the wide CBs overlap or underlap to create overloads and space for the creators. Stones usually does this when the right winger is a left footer(Mahrez/Bernardo). Zinchenko also does this very regularly with Foden and Gundo/KDB on the left. Check the pictures
3. The use of false 9s
Pep has brought back the false 9s and it's working against teams that use man to man marking. Dragging a defender to create space is the main reason it's working and the false 9 role is also rotated regularly between Gundogan, KDB and Bernardo.
Pep has brought back the false 9s and it's working against teams that use man to man marking. Dragging a defender to create space is the main reason it's working and the false 9 role is also rotated regularly between Gundogan, KDB and Bernardo.
4. The width:
Perhaps the most important part of any Pep team is the use of width and this has been evident in the recent games. Attracting the opponents to one side and immediately switching the play has been a feature of City's title winning sides under Pep.
Perhaps the most important part of any Pep team is the use of width and this has been evident in the recent games. Attracting the opponents to one side and immediately switching the play has been a feature of City's title winning sides under Pep.
Conclusion:
Apart from the tactics and set-up the reason City are able to play really well is because Pep has been using the players according to their strengths. This is clearly working and City look like a side that is ready to challenge on all fronts.
Apart from the tactics and set-up the reason City are able to play really well is because Pep has been using the players according to their strengths. This is clearly working and City look like a side that is ready to challenge on all fronts.
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