Facilitating Kevin De Bruyne’s God-like transitions 1/
City rarely play in transition. It’s something Guardiola has actively discouraged in the past, preferring to create from a position of control. But we’re seeing more of it this season. And it allows Kevin De Bruyne to showcase his physicality, nous and unrivalled passing range 2/
We saw it in the goals City scored yesterday. For the 3rd, Ederson takes possession and gets City moving quickly. De Bruyne is already high, looking to take advantage of the space available. At this point 8 United players are ahead of De Bruyne 3/
He’s encouraged to stay high to try take advantage of these situations. As play builds he tries to isolate himself, moving into space. As Grealish breaks and attracts Eriksen he can find De Bruyne in that space. A few strides and one pass later it’s on a plate for Haaland 4/
The 4th goal comes from an Ake block on the edge of the penalty area. As United build we can see every player in shot (if we include Dalots shadow) apart from De Bruyne, Haaland and United’s cbs. De Bruyne is given licence to stay high and City are happy to defend 8 vs 8
5/
5/
When the ball ricochets out to De Bruyne it’s spinning and he has to wait for it. Eriksen is able to close the gap to De Bruyne but when he initiates contact, De Bruyne simply hands him off. Hes too strong. He drives at United, passes to Haaland, and Foden is in for his brace 6/
The 5th comes when City win the ball back in midfield through a combination of Gundogan and Cancelo.
Gundogan and Bernardo are both scrapping for possession but De Bruyne is high again. He often doesn’t shuttle back from his original role in the front line of the press 7/
Gundogan and Bernardo are both scrapping for possession but De Bruyne is high again. He often doesn’t shuttle back from his original role in the front line of the press 7/
Once Gundogan has possession, De Bruyne focuses on finding space and putting distance between himself and Casemiro. Gundogan plays the pass and after he exchanges passes with Grealish, De Bruyne puts the overlapping Gomez in. Haaland hat trick 8/
For the 6th (I chuckled to myself writing that) De Bruyne has dropped a bit further back but isn’t involved in defending the attack. He’s waiting 25yrds out when City win possession 9/
As Grealish collects it, De Bruyne runs off Fred. Casemiro and Fernandes close Grealish down. He finds De Bruyne’s run, who can then drive up the pitch. Check out Grealish, Casemiro and Fernandes, all within a couple of yards of each other 10/
De Bruyne runs Fred to the touchline before cutting inside him. Grealish has galloped up the pitch. Casemiro and Fernandes, not so much. De Bruyne plays Grealish in and before long Foden has his hat trick 11/
Guardiola is giving De Bruyne the freedom to stay high out of possession. He’s facilitating his transition threat and in a match like yesterdays, where United were committing bodies forward when they attacked, it can be deadly 12/
The ability to find space allied to power, pace and his incredible passing range make De Bruyne a ridiculously dangerous conductor of transitions. Add in the likes of Foden and Haaland as his runners and it feels too tempting for Pep to resist.
KDB The Grand Puppet Master 13//
KDB The Grand Puppet Master 13//
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