An archetypal goal of this City vintage
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The first goal yesterday showcased some of the techniques City typically use to break down a packed defence in 2021/22.
As the team re-group, the build up begins in a standard 2-3 with Rodri sat in-between the two full backs 2/
As the team re-group, the build up begins in a standard 2-3 with Rodri sat in-between the two full backs 2/
As Rodri carries it forward, his midfield partners, De Bruyne and Gundogan, have their backs to him. Instead of showing for a pass they’re heading towards the Burnley back line. This is pretty distinctive to City and it’s crucial to how Pep outnumbers teams who defend deep 3/
When Rodri passes to Walker, City have morphed into a new shape. Walker and the cbs form a back 3. Cancelo has moved high and wide into the front line, Grealish drops inside. Sterling holds the width on the right with both 8s high and Foden dropping from 9. Effectively 3-1-6
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Despite having 11 men behind the ball and 4 City players ahead of them all, Burnley’s back line is beginning to be outnumbered, 6 vs 4.
City are trying to isolate Burnley’s front 6 in a midfield no man’s land, clearing out the area of the pitch that is typically most congested
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City are trying to isolate Burnley’s front 6 in a midfield no man’s land, clearing out the area of the pitch that is typically most congested
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Switches of play are crucial to the success of this set up. Walker exchanges passes with Sterling, dragging Burnley’s defence left. The right back, Roberts, has been dragged into the centre of the pitch with both Grealish and Cancelo now outside him 6/
Walker hits a diagonal to Cancelo. Credit Roberts, he makes up a huge amount of ground to get to Cancelo and force him inside. He manages to curtail the initial numbers problem Burnley had with the 6 vs 4
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Burnley have 9 men behind the ball when Cancelo passes to Rodri. But this a situation City are familiar with. And it calls for another switch, a clip in behind for a winger. Fernandinho was a master of it and we’re seeing it more often from Rodri now. Sterling signals for it 8/
Burnley have been dragged left, dragged right and are being dragged left again all in the space of 10 seconds. Rodri chips it in to Sterling, despite the play developing, KDB is still ahead of Burnley’s midfield. He’s there for Sterling’s cushioned layoff and fires it home 9/
That goal was typical of the way City go about breaking down a defensive block. By pushing 5 or 6 men into the front line they often manage outnumber a team defending with 11 men behind the ball. Switches of play and Rodri’s role supporting attacks can be vital to success 10//
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