City = 3-2-5 with Cancelo holding the right wing in possession.
Chelsea, though, aren’t set up with a back 3/5, and that’s very surprising. It seems like they’re playing a narrow 4-3-3 but that’s a *HUGE* risk if they don’t press well as it leaves a clear 5v4 in attack for City.
Chelsea, though, aren’t set up with a back 3/5, and that’s very surprising. It seems like they’re playing a narrow 4-3-3 but that’s a *HUGE* risk if they don’t press well as it leaves a clear 5v4 in attack for City.
It doesn’t seem like Chelsea are getting much pressure on the ball here.
They do have some top players with good technical quality and some outlets on top of that so will always possess a general threat but this approach certainly seems suboptimal tactically from Potter.
They do have some top players with good technical quality and some outlets on top of that so will always possess a general threat but this approach certainly seems suboptimal tactically from Potter.
They’re pressing in a narrow 4-3-3 with the fullbacks tasked with getting out quickly to City’s wingers. The front 3 + midfield are quite passive in the sense that they’re more concerned with blocking space into the passing lanes behind them vs matching up vs City’s 3-2 build-up.
When you consider how that matches up against City’s 3-2-5 shape well then it’s not so good.. a lack of pressure on the ball + an overload in the last line for City..
The problem for City so far, though, has been that Cancelo hasn’t made the most of receiving out wide right.
The problem for City so far, though, has been that Cancelo hasn’t made the most of receiving out wide right.
City have also been a little too direct as a whole which has resulted in turnovers and Chelsea being good technically to retain the ball off the back of that. Chelsea are also playing a new shape (4-2-4) which Pep wouldn’t have set his team up to press.
Slight issues are clear.
Slight issues are clear.
However, with the tactical match up in mind, City have major advantages in the sense that they are typically a top pressing team so should get success in that regard, particularly when they likely stop being so direct in possession which is currently making the game hectic.
Then they can pin Chelsea back, use their on-ball advantages, & create via counterpressing high. Essentially, in its entirety, City have advantages in most phases but have been too direct individually which has resulted in CFC using their quality.
Will that last? I’m unsure.
Will that last? I’m unsure.
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