Pep Guardiola - 2022/23

[OB1]

There's a very real possibility this formation is going to become the dominant formation in world football for the next five years if it brings the level of security and success that is on the brink of doing. The man is operating at the level where his tactical tweaks could a) be seen as a brain fart if they go wrong or b) change football for a decade if they work out.

I’m not sure if this formation will catch on at other clubs but as long as it keeps working for us, until Pep changes it again.

 

[bluenova]

I’m not sure if this formation will catch on at other clubs but as long as it keeps working for us, until Pep changes it again.

Given that kick and rush merchant Klopp has now moved his right back into midfield, it's reached the bottom of the barrel.

 

[domalino]

There's a very real possibility this formation is going to become the dominant formation in world football for the next five years if it brings the level of security and success that is on the brink of doing. The man is operating at the level where his tactical tweaks could a) be seen as a brain fart if they go wrong or b) change football for a decade if they work out.

Arteta has copied it immediately with Zinchenko tucking in and on the weekend Klopp had TAA going into midfield from RB.

Only a matter of time before more and more people copy it.

Pep’s the boss, and every other manager knows it.

 

[domalino]

No. Akanji has been centre back and stones right back. Tonight they were the opposite. It was a subtle but important change because it tightened up the right flank when Stones joined the midfield.

Which paves the way for Walker to come back when he’s off the naughty step in time to shut down Vinicius Jr again.

 

[Brightwell Bros.]

Agree with this. That was probably the best two teams in the world.

Yep, as much shit as we give them I'm more than happy to say they were the two best teams of the last decade. Probably the best technical and tactical game of football on English soil ever. And Manchester City Football Club won it!

 

[super_city_si]

There's a very real possibility this formation is going to become the dominant formation in world football for the next five years if it brings the level of security and success that is on the brink of doing. The man is operating at the level where his tactical tweaks could a) be seen as a brain fart if they go wrong or b) change football for a decade if they work out.

arsenal v dippers, both had inverted full back. Even klopp Is trying it Out. But thats so 2018, were on to inverted center backs now.

 

[super_city_si]

I like the flexibility pep has now. We‘re looking great with the 4 cb with stones moving in to mid, but sometimes like at southampton on saturday, they pack the middle or man mark and it gets slow and congested.

walker on for a traditional back 4 stretches the pitch again and is another tool for those games. I expect Brighton to be similar where theres no space centrally.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

We’ve won nothing yet this season but, if we do, Pep’s tactical innovation will be the primary reason and it’s likely it still won’t get the acknowledgement it deserves. He’s turning things upside down. At one point, he would drop the DM in between the CB’s to make a virtual back three, and push FB’s forward (wide and inside). Now he’s using 4 CB’s and pushing on forward as a 2nd DM and then basically playing a front 4 or 5. He’s been using a front 4 for ages and very few people comment on it.

The criticism of him overthinking is as stupid as people saying: “well, he couldn’t manage Burton Albion (or similar” as if:

I) that has any relevance to the fact that he gets hired to manage elite squads because he is the best at that job and so why should any give a fuck that he is not Neil Warnock;
II) he would probably do a better job of managing a lower level team than anyone else because he has proved time and again that he can adapt to the resources he has and produce a winning team and that his understanding of the game and ability to analyse opponents is such that the advantage he’d give a team would probably increase the lower down the leagues you went.

On top of tactics, I think he’s had some severe personnel issues to deal with including drops in form and maybe attitude issues. We will probably never know exactly who but I think the likes of KDB, Foden, Laporte, Walker and obviously Cancelo have been influenced negatively by the World Cup and other things.

He left a lot of players out when we expected them to be in, and he gave us all a shock when he called out the whole club for complacently a couple of months ago. Look at us now, all pulling together, big names producing the goods and performances as good as we’ve ever had.

He’s the best manager I have ever had the privilege to watch work tactically but also in terms of man management and leadership. He’s arguably the best there’s ever been in fact.

 

[domalino]

Cool explanation of the Bayern tactical change with Stones and Akanji

 

[MaskedAguero10]

Arteta has copied it immediately with Zinchenko tucking in and on the weekend Klopp had TAA going into midfield from RB.

Only a matter of time before more and more people copy it.

Pep’s the boss, and every other manager knows it.

Knowing pep this mad man has probably already thought of ways to counter his own formation in anticipation of other teams trying to emulate city

 

[MaskedAguero10]

arsenal v dippers, both had inverted full back. Even klopp Is trying it Out. But thats so 2018, were on to inverted center backs now.

Pep's given arteta and Klopp the old blueprints and has run away with this new tactical innovation now lol

 

[OB1]

On top of tactics, I think he’s had some severe personnel issues to deal with including drops in form and maybe attitude issues. We will probably never know exactly who but I think the likes of KDB, Foden, Laporte, Walker and obviously Cancelo have been influenced negatively by the World Cup and other things.

He left a lot of players out when we expected them to be in, and he gave us all a shock when he called out the whole club for complacently a couple of months ago. Look at us now, all pulling together, big names producing the goods and performances as good as we’ve ever had.

He’s the best manager I have ever had the privilege to watch work tactically but also in terms of man management and leadership. He’s arguably the best there’s ever been in fact.

One day I expect quite a few learned books on football will cover Pep's time at City, as well as his career. I think you sometimes have to get to the end of someone's career and them look back to annoint them as the greatest. For Pep to get the recognition he deserves, we know what has to happen. Me, I thought I knew what we were getting, my daughter and I did the 360 mile round trip to see his presentation to the fans when he started: it'll be something to tell the grandkids about one day, I hope. He's not let me down.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

One day I expect quite a few learned books on football will cover Pep's time at City, as well as his career. I think you sometimes have to get to the end of someone's career and them look back to annoint them as the greatest. For Pep to get the recognition he deserves, we know what has to happen. Me, I thought I knew what we were getting, my daughter and I did the 360 mile round trip to see his presentation to the fans when he started: it'll be something to tell the grandkids about one day, I hope. He's not let me down.

This summer might just be that pinnacle.

 

[domalino]

This summer might just be that pinnacle.

I think we're building up to another all time great team over the next 1-2 years.

KDB still in his peak, Haaland getting better and better, Alvarez, Foden, Bellingham(?*) Rico all developing.

Grealish, Stones, Dias, Rodri, Aké in the best form of their lives.

I think we'll be back on track for 100 points next season, and if we get the first CL then more will follow.

*Even if we don't get Bellingham then going for him suggests the club's looking to invest heavily.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

I think we're building up to another all time great team over the next 1-2 years.

KDB still in his peak, Haaland getting better and better, Foden, Bellingham? Rico all developing.

Stones, Dias, Rodri, Aké in the best form of their lives.

I think we'll be back on tract for 100 points next season.

You forgot to mention Alvarez; )

 

[domalino]

You forgot to mention Alvarez; )

There you go, added him in.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

There you go, added him in.

I don't normally get too excited about footage from unknown players, but when I saw that double hat trick that Alvarez scored I thought we have signed a potential very special player. Reminds me of a cross between Aguero and Kinkladze.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Isn’t it funny how the general consensus is that Pep didn’t overthink the Bayern game. He literally played a structure that was exclusive/unique to the Bayern game so far this season, with Stones playing as a hybrid CB/DM instead of as an inverted full back. But because we won, instead of anyone acknowledging that the very reason Pep is the best manager of all time is because he overthinks EVERY game and that that overthinking works almost every time, they just assume Pep reverted to something tried and tested, something normal. Even though he didn’t. Pep is the best BECAUSE he never stops thinking about the game but it’s used against him as if it’s a weakness somehow.

 

[domalino]

Isn’t it funny how the general consensus is that Pep didn’t overthink the Bayern game. He literally played a structure that was exclusive/unique to the Bayern game so far this season, with Stones playing as a hybrid CB/DM instead of as an inverted full back. But because we won, instead of anyone acknowledging that the very reason Pep is the best manager of all time is because he overthinks EVERY game and that that overthinking works almost every time, they just assume Pep reverted to something tried and tested, something normal. Even though he didn’t.

I've said this many times, none of the infamous Pep "overthinks" are overthinking at all. They were all sensible and easily explained tactical changes that made little or no difference to whether we won or lost.

 

[Nicholas van Whatsisface]

Isn’t it funny how the general consensus is that Pep didn’t overthink the Bayern game. He literally played a structure that was exclusive/unique to the Bayern game so far this season, with Stones playing as a hybrid CB/DM instead of as an inverted full back. But because we won, instead of anyone acknowledging that the very reason Pep is the best manager of all time is because he overthinks EVERY game and that that overthinking works almost every time, they just assume Pep reverted to something tried and tested, something normal. Even though he didn’t. Pep is the best BECAUSE he never stops thinking about the game but it’s used against him as if it’s a weakness somehow.

Spot on mate.

And he’s made this point himself several times recently - he overthinks every game, and makes tactical and personnel decisions based on his analysis of what’s needed to win the game.

When it works he’s a genius - and on the occasions it doesn’t work, he’s clearly a meddling, overthinking nutter.

But the process is exactly the same either way - and he’ll carry on doing it exactly that way until the day he retires.

The reality is it works way more often than it doesn’t, which is why he’s won all the trophies he has, and has put himself in contention to be considered (arguably) the greatest manager of all time.

Pep’s tactical brain, and his unique capacity to overthink, is precisely why he is a genius - and is what sets him apart from the chasing pack. I hope he never changes - even if that does mean it goes wrong every once in a while.