The Manchester Derby
Sustained attacks, passive pressing, the low block and Rodri having time to play any pass he wanted.
How City beat United.
🧵THREAD BELOW
Sustained attacks, passive pressing, the low block and Rodri having time to play any pass he wanted.
How City beat United.
🧵THREAD BELOW
Man United set up in a low 4-4-2 block. As well as the deep units, they played narrow and allowed easy access for City into wide areas.
The plan was to stop City from progressing through the centre of the pitch.
The plan was to stop City from progressing through the centre of the pitch.
Meanwhile, City set up in their preferred 4-3-3 with Stones stepping in alongside Rodri when in possession to create a 3-2-2-3.
Onana looked to play short from the first goal kick. The message looked to be 'play if we can.'
City were aggressive in their 4-4-2 pressing shape. Rodri and Silva were on the front foot in the centre of midfield. When they won possession, they had equal numbers to attack United.
City were aggressive in their 4-4-2 pressing shape. Rodri and Silva were on the front foot in the centre of midfield. When they won possession, they had equal numbers to attack United.
United generally went long for the rest of the game. They had initial joy with the City back line playing a very high line.
McTominay picked up a 2nd ball and released Garnacho who could have done more with it.
McTominay picked up a 2nd ball and released Garnacho who could have done more with it.
A seed of doubt had been laid in Ake's mind after the run from the above post.
He dropped deeper than the rest of his back line, playing Fernandes onside, which led to an assist for a wonderful Rashford finish.
He dropped deeper than the rest of his back line, playing Fernandes onside, which led to an assist for a wonderful Rashford finish.
The 4-4-2 deep block of United's was compact but passive.
McTominay and Fernandes were tasked with dropping back to create a 4v4 in central midfield. The team maintained a compact shape that prevented the opponent from making central progressive passes. However, they didn't apply much pressure on the ball, which allowed City to consistently build their attacks from these areas.
McTominay and Fernandes were tasked with dropping back to create a 4v4 in central midfield. The team maintained a compact shape that prevented the opponent from making central progressive passes. However, they didn't apply much pressure on the ball, which allowed City to consistently build their attacks from these areas.
Casemiro and Mainoo looked after City's half-space attacking midfield players (KDB and Silva usually occupied these spaces)
With little pressure applied from Fernandes and McTominay. Rodri and Stones had time to play these passes.
Mainoo and Casemiro were stretched higher up the pitch.
With little pressure applied from Fernandes and McTominay. Rodri and Stones had time to play these passes.
Mainoo and Casemiro were stretched higher up the pitch.
One pass took 5 United players out of the game. Mainoo leaves KDB as he can see Stones is a threat. He's too late, though
I don't believe Mainoo had this responsibilty but was looking to help his team and cover McTominay and Fernandes. Their roles were to stop Stones and Rodri.
I don't believe Mainoo had this responsibilty but was looking to help his team and cover McTominay and Fernandes. Their roles were to stop Stones and Rodri.
Mainoo and Casemiro looked a lot more comfortable as they played deeper and the spaces were smaller.
They covered the half spaces well and limited KDB and Silva in these areas. They were man-to-man marking during large periods of the 1st half.
They covered the half spaces well and limited KDB and Silva in these areas. They were man-to-man marking during large periods of the 1st half.
The passive nature allowed City to move to the edge of the United box easily.
Even at 25 yards from goal, there was no urgency to put pressure on the ball.
United only showed the urgency when City entered the box with numerous blocks and last ditch challenges.
Even at 25 yards from goal, there was no urgency to put pressure on the ball.
United only showed the urgency when City entered the box with numerous blocks and last ditch challenges.
With this lack of pressure on the ball, City sustained attacks as they set their positions up to counter-press any loss of possession
Forcing all 10 United outfield players into a position no more than 20 yards from their own goal, United could not put together a counter attack
Forcing all 10 United outfield players into a position no more than 20 yards from their own goal, United could not put together a counter attack
And it was this lack of pressure which should have led to the equaliser.
Rodri drifts off the back of Fernandes. Casemiro has followed Silva, as it looks like he was instructed to.
Due to this, Rodri has little pressure 20 yards from goal and uses the diagonal chip.
Rodri drifts off the back of Fernandes. Casemiro has followed Silva, as it looks like he was instructed to.
Due to this, Rodri has little pressure 20 yards from goal and uses the diagonal chip.
United had very few counter-attacking opportunities but the one they didn't make the most of led to the City goal.
Rashford is desperate for the weight of pass to be correct where he can take his touch across the front of Walker.
He knows taking it wide of Walker will allow him to catch up...
Rashford is desperate for the weight of pass to be correct where he can take his touch across the front of Walker.
He knows taking it wide of Walker will allow him to catch up...
Rashford times his run across Walker to perfection, but the pass has been made onto the wider running line.
Even if Rashford stays on his feet, the chance has passed.
Even if Rashford stays on his feet, the chance has passed.
And from this opportunity, City created their equaliser.
Passive pressure so close to the goal would be punished at some point.
Rodri can play a progressive pass into Foden as he has NO pressure. Foden gets the strike, with Lindelof lacking urgency.
Passive pressure so close to the goal would be punished at some point.
Rodri can play a progressive pass into Foden as he has NO pressure. Foden gets the strike, with Lindelof lacking urgency.
The pattern was set for the rest of the game.
United couldn't escape their half as City suffocated them with a well set counter press
United couldn't escape their half as City suffocated them with a well set counter press
City probed and provoked until Foden produced to make it 2-1.
With tiring legs, Casemiro couldn't stay with Foden in the half space. Varane did little to help in shutting off a return pass. Foden was clinical.
With tiring legs, Casemiro couldn't stay with Foden in the half space. Varane did little to help in shutting off a return pass. Foden was clinical.
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