We basically played 4 different systems in these 4 games. Pep I hope learned something about how the players were able to play in each one and which he likes most.
Game 1: 235 with inverted fullbacks.
It let's you play with wide wingers and two 10s in Foden and Cherki. Nico O Reilly is used well here as he can sorta act like a defensive midfielder.
It's a waste of Reijnders as a 6, wouldn't mind him as one of the 10s tbh.
While we only won the game 2-0 (we didn't create much only 1.92xG), we vastly controlled the game and gave away no chances (0.50xG), it was also our first game.
We also played Marmoush at striker and that just doesn't work.
I don't mind this system, it might be better with Ait Nouri and Nunes.
Game 2: 316 with wingbacks.
Perhaps Pep saw the last game and thought we didn't have enough bodies in the attack.
And since this was arguably one of the worst teams in the tournament, it makes sense, we created 4.02xG and concede 0.44.
I like Nico G as the lone 6 here as he is an aggressive shield to the back 3, can also easily slot into the backline, so physically dominant.
This was a good way to get Khusanov in as a wide CB stopping counters, he didn't need to be involved in the attack.
Imagine if Cherki, Foden, and Marmoush started over Bernie, Gundogan and Echeverri, this setup could be the best one to get all those attackers in, while still retaining solid cover at the back.
I think it works well against teams who sit back, since you can simultaneously commit 6 attackers, but utilize fast wide CBs (Khusanov) to stop a break.
Game 3: 235 with inverted wingers.
Yet again, dominated possession, with wingers in the half spaces this time. Another side to Doku and Savinho.
Our creation became even better when we had Cherki on instead of Bernie, and Haaland as a striker (common theme it seems, we play better with a target man).
Very fluid triangles on each side with the winger, midfielder and fullback.
The 316 sorta had this as well, more on the left side, as that's difficult to do with Haaland.
This system probably showcased our "best" attacking flair I would argue, against an obviously much better team.
I really like this system against teams who press us like Juve did, because we play quick triangles through the press in a fluid way, with the players capable of pulling it off.
Game 4: 253 with "half" inverted fullbacks
The game where everyone got upset.
I would say Ait-Nouri and Nunes were somewhere between the Game 1 and Game 3 system of fullbacks, they weren't fully tucked in, but they also weren't completely fluidly rotating and attacking down the wings and such like Game 3, it was a far more conservative approach.
Then this sort meant the wingers mainly stayed wide. It overall kind of worked, we definitely played well in the 1st half but I'm not a fan of this system overall, as it seems slightly too rigid in the attack, and if we get countered, we have players who aren't the best defenders at transitions (Reijnders, Ait-Nouri, and Nunes to a degree) to cover for them. Maybe this works better with Nico G for Reiijnders.
First half went well, but 2nd half and and 2nd half of ET were catastrophes. I would say the sub to Rodri probably threw Pep off for ET, hence playing with no recognized DM, which was likely an unforeseen error by Pep.
Overall
I prefer the systems in game 2 and 3 alot more. I think that 316 against low blocks would have been better against Al-Hilal who mostly sat back to try and counter. Haaland is just much better as a striker for us than Marmoush (Im an advocate of playing O Reilly to rest Haaland personally), while Reijnders as a 6 is fine, but this 316 is required to stop counters, and Nico G is much better at that.
That 235 inverted winger system seems like a good one to develop as well, there are teams who will try to press us high and the way we just dismantled Juve's high press was a joy to see with that quick passing and moving.
Ideally our starting 11 can switch between these 2 if teams themselves in a game decide to switch it up as well, but I'm choosing to take the positives from this CWC, and focusing on the things that work well, and those that don't, well try not to do those things as much in the season Pep!
