Pep’s new tactic - the 3-1-6 (or 3-1-3-3)

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Tricky_Trev

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I appreciate not everyone cares for the finer details of exactly what Pep is up to, but for anyone that’s interested, I feel like this video is a fantastic breakdown of some things to look out for as the season progresses.

I think we’re all used to the idea of a ‘box midfield’ now - everyone has copied it. Well, true to form, Pep is one step ahead again and is already evolving to the next tactic that everyone will copy in time.

And probably the key player that enables it to work is Rico Lewis, so great news for him :)

 
This was actually what Pep's 3-1-6 started out as.

When Pep switched to the 3-1-6 setup (Haaland's debut season), he rotated between the diamond midfield and box midfield (single pivot vs double pivot). Eventually, he settled mostly on the box version, much like everyone else that copied that tactic, because it gave more stability in midfield.

The video does show a good analysis on how Pep cracks Chelsea's double pivot. There's a likelihood we might see more of the diamond shape this season with more teams seemingly favoring the double pivot/box midfield.
 
This is great, nice one.

I couldn't work out what spaces Rico was taking up but just about knew it wasn't exactly the same as the box. I also knew the system was designed to create space for the wingers without fully doing the counter-attack of early City Pep.

This video probably explains why we aren't desperate to go into the market either. There's cover in all the key positions that make the system work.
 
Tricky_Trev said:
I appreciate not everyone cares for the finer details of exactly what Pep is up to, but for anyone that’s interested, I feel like this video is a fantastic breakdown of some things to look out for as the season progresses.

I think we’re all used to the idea of a ‘box midfield’ now - everyone has copied it. Well, true to form, Pep is one step ahead again and is already evolving to the next tactic that everyone will copy in time.

And probably the key player that enables it to work is Rico Lewis, so great news for him :)

Click to expand...

It's an interesting video and take on a potential evolution. It may also simply be it was a formation/style that worked with the players we had available
I wouldn't read too much into it after playing a Chelsea side who were disjointed at best, and still working on things under a new manager (Sorry @Vialli98 )
Let's see what happens in the next few outings.
 
Reckon when full squad is available Rico might be used a lot more this season hate to say it but it could be walkers last 1 with us
 
What Pep has done, as he developed his core group of players, is create numerous OPTIONS on how we are going to play…often utilizing multiple options (formations) in a game.

We see this especially when making subs, as we often don’t make a like for like substitution, but a tactical sub that changes the formation. This then causes the opposition to respond…and then Pep makes another sub that changes the formation again (sometimes back to what it was, just with different personnel!) and it leaves opposition players not knowing who to mark, where to cover, and now the players are different.

To me, this is a key reason Pep wants the players to be footballers first and positional players second. He needs to have the trust in you to be able to option yourself into the formation by playing a slightly different position in a slightly different way. It appears Rico understands these formations and shifts better than most, as Pep lauds him greatly for his head game. In fact, it’s why Bernardo is so, so important to the team. Not only is his technical ability supreme, but he can play about 8 positions on the park…most of them in the same game, if needed.

This is where the young talent has to “get it” or get moved on.

Players talk about football under Pep being simplified at the same time as it becomes revelatory to them. He opens their eyes to the field, the space, and their function within that space.

Over the last decade, we have watched ONE COACH completely change the way the game is played in England and completely change the requirements to be a goalkeeper in the game…amongst other less obvious things.

Wonderland is real, we are all living in it, and Pep is the Mad Hatter!
 
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@Tricky_Trev Thanks for the videos!!

Another visual proof why Gundo on a free is a no brainer.

For Rico, I said some time back he can go the Phillipp Lahm route and last Sunday he already looked like prime Lahm. What a wonderful player, fighter and humble decent person. Incredible.
 
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Thing I take from this isn’t Pep coming up with this stuff, its how he’s assembled players that can pick up these tactics and understand exactly what their positioning should be. Shows how important football intelligence is for players we buy over just ability.
 
I think every season Peps been at City he’s tweaked the tactics slightly but effectively. Imagine what’s going through his mind during his summer holidays? Must drive his Mrs mental, the freaky genius.

The only season his tactical tweak didn’t work was 19-20. But that was largely due to Kompany leaving not replacing him and an injury to Laporte.
 
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