Pep Guardiola - 2022/23

[PhdWave]

As reported by Sam Lee (Moyes said something similar on Sky):

David Moyes on City's set-up today: "Tactically they were much better and we hadn't prepped for that because we hadn't seen it."

Came to post just this...absolutely incredible quote.

 

[DATOIA]

Pep and his creativity VOL1000

Today, especially during the build-ups we had following system:

----------------------------------Ederson-----------------------------------------
Ruben------------------------------------------------------------------------Ake
----------------------Walker-------------------Cancelo---------------------------
------------------------------------Rodri--------------------------------------------
Foden--------------------------------------------------------------------Grealish
-----------------------KDB---------------------Gundogan--------------------------
-----------------------------------Haaaland-----------------------------------------

Why is this new system important and what we should concentration our attention on:

1) Walker and Cancelo are moving into midfield positions and Ruben / Ake are playing wider... This role would be perfect both for Stones and Laporte..
2) For Kyle this system wasn't that good, because he needs space, but Cancelo was playing his best football..
3) Jack was playing deeper and Foden as well, which meant that West Ham fullbacks had to move higher and that meant more spaces for KDB / Gundogan and Haaland.. Also, via including Jack in build-up - we can utilize him more, than we used him before, when so called "eights" - Bernardo / Gundo were move involved in build-ups and Jack was waiting there for the ball, to make 2-3 touches, cut inside and pass ball back :D
4) KDB and Gundogan are most dangerous near opponent's box, so that's why, playing them a little bit higher than wingers, was suitable for them...

That's why Pep mentioned Jack's contribution in the second ball.. What happens here, West Ham fullback presses Jack and another midfielder is also moving higher, then Jack easily comes out of pressure, finds Rodri (5 West Ham players are behind the ball), so Rodri finds KDB and KDB uses space and Haaland's pace to make that assist..

Maybe, this is the answer how we can utilize Jack on that winger position.. Maybe today's system and formation and tactics is the answer.. Jack -> our new FalseWinger :DDD <3



PS you can easily play Bernardo as RW in this system, so use both Jack and Bernardo during build-ups and as number eights - Foden + KDB + Gundogan, who can be lethal near the opponent's box to provide Haaland with an assists.. So a lot of options here, let's see what happens in terms of transfer window...

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

A+

 

[ninjamonkey]

His tactics allowed us to control the game which was more than likely the priority after the hard time they gave us last time we were there so it worked perfectly in that regard.

Don't expect to see it regularly though. it doesn't suit Walker, he will get caught out if that becomes a more frequent tactic and I felt it stifled us in getting from our back 4 into our attacking players resulting in too much time spent knocking it between our back 4. The big switch out ball to either fullback that is always on allowing them to make a quick pass into the winger giving them the ball in a bit of space that we constantly use to encamp ourselves in the opponents final third wasn't available and result in us playing the majority of the match a lot deeper than normal.

 

[OB1]

Nice to see some intelligent discussion of Pep's tactics.

It will be interesting to see how opponents try and handle City in the next few games, and how Pep responds.

Erling has inevitably created a considerable new problem for other teams. I fear even more rigid bus parking but if Erling continures to be as clinical as he was yesterday, it may be a forlorn hope for opponents that they can just sit deep.

City drew the Hammers out yesterday for that second goal but getting the first is what makes it easier to do that. West Ham were deep on the first goal but Haaland demonstrated that he does not need much space in behind to do damage.

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

Best manager in world football - always inventive, seeking to get the best out of his side; and a great coach, improving individuals under his tutelage.

Against the Hammers, Pep rolled out a new, both fullbacks narrow, formation. This allowed us to control midfield and left the opposition in doubt as how to proceed.

And too - Pep knows his side's weaknesses. In transfer windows, signings are targeted to address weak spots. As a result we signed Haaland (likely our best signing ever) and Alverez to nail down our center forward spot; Phillips as a true destroyer at mid in case we need one; and Ortega at goal to replace the dreadful Steffen. And we're still pursing a defensive left back.

 

[FantasyIreland]

As reported by Sam Lee (Moyes said something similar on Sky):

David Moyes on City's set-up today: "Tactically they were much better and we hadn't prepped for that because we hadn't seen it."

Its weird as fuck.

Did he somehow miss the Haaland signing?

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

Its weird as fuck.

Did he somehow miss the Haaland signing?

He was referring to both fullbacks playing very narrow.

Pep is ever inventive - no surprise that he caught the opposing manager completely unprepared in our first game of the season.

 

[nellyonthewing]

Pep and his creativity VOL1000

Today, especially during the build-ups we had following system:

----------------------------------Ederson-----------------------------------------
Ruben------------------------------------------------------------------------Ake
----------------------Walker-------------------Cancelo---------------------------
------------------------------------Rodri--------------------------------------------
Foden--------------------------------------------------------------------Grealish
-----------------------KDB---------------------Gundogan--------------------------
-----------------------------------Haaaland-----------------------------------------

Why is this new system important and what we should concentration our attention on:

1) Walker and Cancelo are moving into midfield positions and Ruben / Ake are playing wider... This role would be perfect both for Stones and Laporte..
2) For Kyle this system wasn't that good, because he needs space, but Cancelo was playing his best football..
3) Jack was playing deeper and Foden as well, which meant that West Ham fullbacks had to move higher and that meant more spaces for KDB / Gundogan and Haaland.. Also, via including Jack in build-up - we can utilize him more, than we used him before, when so called "eights" - Bernardo / Gundo were move involved in build-ups and Jack was waiting there for the ball, to make 2-3 touches, cut inside and pass ball back :D
4) KDB and Gundogan are most dangerous near opponent's box, so that's why, playing them a little bit higher than wingers, was suitable for them...

That's why Pep mentioned Jack's contribution in the second ball.. What happens here, West Ham fullback presses Jack and another midfielder is also moving higher, then Jack easily comes out of pressure, finds Rodri (5 West Ham players are behind the ball), so Rodri finds KDB and KDB uses space and Haaland's pace to make that assist..

Maybe, this is the answer how we can utilize Jack on that winger position.. Maybe today's system and formation and tactics is the answer.. Jack -> our new FalseWinger :DDD <3



PS you can easily play Bernardo as RW in this system, so use both Jack and Bernardo during build-ups and as number eights - Foden + KDB + Gundogan, who can be lethal near the opponent's box to provide Haaland with an assists.. So a lot of options here, let's see what happens in terms of transfer window...

Thats let the cat out of the bag . Walls have ears you know.!!

 

[domalino]

Its weird as fuck.

Did he somehow miss the Haaland signing?

He’s talking about us playing 235

 

[FantasyIreland]

He’s talking about us playing 235

Yes i know,but he stated he prepared as per the game last season.

Irrespective of Peps approach yesterday.....Surely factoring Haaland into our team would have made his game plan pointless.

 

[supercity88]

I've got mixed feelings but mainly due to how sterile it all felt, particularly in the first half. We had some space out wide due to crowding the middle but we couldn't really do much with it. But equally, West Ham are a dangerous side who are very effective on the counter and considering the results they got at home last season to win so comfortably is testament to how brilliant the system worked. They had no opportunity to slice through us or counter attack, we forced them to go wider because we had numbers in the middle and they didn't really know what to do, it wasn't something they were expecting so we just kept the ball. I'd imagine even if it was 0-0 with 15 minutes to go they'd have been spent having chased the ball and we'd have created opportunities with a subtle tweak in formation.

The inverted role has been something Pep's used with Delph, Zin and Cancelo (very effective from the RB role). Having both in there was new - at least I can't recall a game where I've noticed it! Walker is never going to be creating the way Cancelo can but he can keep the ball and it means that the opposition have to go long to try and get past us and he'll be there preventing runners from slicing through us and if Dias/Ake get beaten out wide Walker will be back in a central position to cover. Cancelo has the ability to beat a man and then play in Haaland or an attacking midfielder...

It's bloody genius on reflection!

 

[OB1]

Yes i know,but he stated he prepared as per the game last season.

Irrespective of Peps approach yesterday.....Surely factoring Haaland into our team would have made his game plan pointless.

I'm sure Moyes factored Haaland in :-)

The great thing, hopefully, for us is that opponents can make plans for Haaland and De Bruyne but unless they sit a lot of men very deep and have zero lapses in concentration, they are likely to get cut open at some point.

Pep and City are still going to have to find ways to breakdown massed defences but maybe an Exocet has been repalced by a nuke in Pep's arsenal.

 

[FantasyIreland]

I've got mixed feelings but mainly due to how sterile it all felt, particularly in the first half. We had some space out wide due to crowding the middle but we couldn't really do much with it. But equally, West Ham are a dangerous side who are very effective on the counter and considering the results they got at home last season to win so comfortably is testament to how brilliant the system worked. They had no opportunity to slice through us or counter attack, we forced them to go wider because we had numbers in the middle and they didn't really know what to do, it wasn't something they were expecting so we just kept the ball. I'd imagine even if it was 0-0 with 15 minutes to go they'd have been spent having chased the ball and we'd have created opportunities with a subtle tweak in formation.

The inverted role has been something Pep's used with Delph, Zin and Cancelo (very effective from the RB role). Having both in there was new - at least I can't recall a game where I've noticed it! Walker is never going to be creating the way Cancelo can but he can keep the ball and it means that the opposition have to go long to try and get past us and he'll be there preventing runners from slicing through us and if Dias/Ake get beaten out wide Walker will be back in a central position to cover. Cancelo has the ability to beat a man and then play in Haaland or an attacking midfielder...

It's bloody genius on reflection!

Antonio agrees.....

️ Michail Antonio on Man City:

"Their system is liquid. It's liquid. It can't be contained. When I say to you, it's that they're rotating everywhere. [Joao] Cancelo's popping up in midfield, Kyle Walker playing midfield, then [Jack] Grealish would be out wide..."

"Then Bernardo [Silva] would be inside him, so the full-backs can't come and mark and get tight. It was a masterclass. It's just one of those things where you've got to put your hands up and say they were unbelievable..."

 

[supercity88]

Antonio agrees.....

️ Michail Antonio on Man City:

"Their system is liquid. It's liquid. It can't be contained. When I say to you, it's that they're rotating everywhere. [Joao] Cancelo's popping up in midfield, Kyle Walker playing midfield, then [Jack] Grealish would be out wide..."

"Then Bernardo [Silva] would be inside him, so the full-backs can't come and mark and get tight. It was a masterclass. It's just one of those things where you've got to put your hands up and say they were unbelievable..."

A lot of the media have commented on how poor or lacking in intensity West Ham were but Moyes and now Antonio have revealed it was purely down to how we played. They wanted to get at us, they just couldn't get nor keep the ball for long enough to do anything.

 

[oldius]

Antonio agrees.....

️ Michail Antonio on Man City:

"Their system is liquid. It's liquid. It can't be contained. When I say to you, it's that they're rotating everywhere. [Joao] Cancelo's popping up in midfield, Kyle Walker playing midfield, then [Jack] Grealish would be out wide..."

"Then Bernardo [Silva] would be inside him, so the full-backs can't come and mark and get tight. It was a masterclass. It's just one of those things where you've got to put your hands up and say they were unbelievable..."

I listened to his interview and it genuinely sounds like Antonio had never seen anything like it. I will always remember these times.

 

[CityBluez]

Seems to me , he basically confirmed his extension. "We will try this season , next season"

 

[Keeper!]

I listened to his interview and it genuinely sounds like Antonio had never seen anything like it. I will always remember these times.

Total football, I said on Sunday, Cruyff would be proud of Pep and his team.

 

[Txiki Txiki Bang Bang]

Antonio agrees.....

️ Michail Antonio on Man City:

"Their system is liquid. It's liquid. It can't be contained. When I say to you, it's that they're rotating everywhere. [Joao] Cancelo's popping up in midfield, Kyle Walker playing midfield, then [Jack] Grealish would be out wide..."

"Then Bernardo [Silva] would be inside him, so the full-backs can't come and mark and get tight. It was a masterclass. It's just one of those things where you've got to put your hands up and say they were unbelievable..."

Que?

 

[skillman]

Between this and the 'you're going to be the one who asks me about Haaland every week aren't you?' - it seems Pep can't be arsed with fanatical Erling questions!!