Read on Twitter
Ok guys, let's talk about last match.
Different from the last games, Pep made a little change in our formation, using a 2-3-5 shape. Mourinho used a 4-4-1-1/4-2-3-1 out of possession.
This change helped us in offensive AND defense, since we had 3 MC to make a connection between our lines and we were able to recover the ball faster, as we'll see soon.
Mourinho didn't try to press high. Kane were balancing between our CB while Lucas was taking care of Rodri. So our full backs could receive the ball inside, but Son and Lamela were watching them too, or a least trying....
... because that would mean they positioning more inside too, giving space to our wingers to receive the ball in 1x1 situations. So, often, they were in doubt about what to do, and so, we were able to progress with the ball kinda easily.
Our plays in the opposition side of the pitch weren't news. Overload one side to switch and create a 1x1 situation, which we did very well, specially when Sterling was moved to the right side and gave Davies some nightmares...
... we also created 3x3 situations on wide space areas, which opened a channel in half-space to attack. Here Spurs are in a bad situation, btw. Jesus has space between the lines and if Hojbjerg closes him, open up another space to Gundo, and so on and on...
... talking about attacking the half-space, another thing we do a lot, with a winger dragging a FB out of position and to other player attack his back. Spurs used the same idea as the past game: putting their DM's to cover this space. But...
... I thought that we execute better this time. The moment of the two teams are completely different too, and I believe that helps in the outcome of the plays. Similar ideas, different results.
Which was really different was our approach in defensive transitions. The first thing was: we didn't try to press the front 4 when they received with space. Instead, we protect our depth running deep. So Spurs had the ball to progress, but no space to attack.
To be honest, it was kinda simple to stop their attack. You took out the space, and they don't know how to create anymore? They had some quality players (Ndombele, Son, Kane, I mean, c'mon...) so they should be able to cause more trouble. I blame Mourinho for having poor ideas.
Another thing that help us in transition, as I mentioned before, was our formation. With Cancelo and Zinchenko high on the pitch, we watched their players closely. Also, having a numerical advantage make things easily to recover the ball quickly.
Thanks guys for reading, hope you enjoy as always. You can read more about the game here: https://twitter.com/city_tactics/status/1360974078467792899
I appreciated, and if you help to RT, maybe I can reach more people, and of course, I'm always trying to improve and learn more, including with you.
