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PSG v CITY: A tactical observation
(A THREAD)
A great first leg result for City as we have one foot on the final of the Champions League. PSG dominated the first half and some slight tactical tweaks by Pep made sure we were there in the second. Check out the tactical analysis
(A THREAD)
A great first leg result for City as we have one foot on the final of the Champions League. PSG dominated the first half and some slight tactical tweaks by Pep made sure we were there in the second. Check out the tactical analysis
The first 30 mins:
This was the period PSG dominated the game and frankly it was down to Pep. Our pressing pattern was 4-3-3 in shape and it hasn't worked once. I'm not sure why Pep did this again in such a crucial game. We did this against Liverpool, Southampton,....
This was the period PSG dominated the game and frankly it was down to Pep. Our pressing pattern was 4-3-3 in shape and it hasn't worked once. I'm not sure why Pep did this again in such a crucial game. We did this against Liverpool, Southampton,....
Dortmund first leg on top of my head and Pep changed it in the middle of the game everytime. Our on the ball shape was also easy for PSG to defend since we didn't have many numbers going forward. We were struggling to get forward and create chances.
Below are some of the problems the 4-3-3 shape created off the ball. PSG did this time and again in the first half an hour and City had no answers to it. Cancelo was often isolated and they targeted his side and created overloads.
After the 30th minute the first change happened. Bernardo joined KDB in the press to form a 4-4-2 shape and City started winning the balls high up and forced a couple of mistakes from Navas and the defenders. This is what we have been doing all season.
The second change happened around the 35th minute. Cancelo started inverting and that meant Gundogan had the license to push forward to form a 3-2-5 shape, again something we have been doing for 4 months and which resulted in 30 wins in 33 games.
Second half:
In the second half, Cancelo started going wide and Foden drifted inwards like the Aston Villa game. Foden is very strong in the pockets and this move by Pep was very important.
In the second half, Cancelo started going wide and Foden drifted inwards like the Aston Villa game. Foden is very strong in the pockets and this move by Pep was very important.
City also started pressing PSG high up the pitch like we used to in the last 4 months and it forced PSG to go long and ultimately loose the ball. City played it safe in the first half and once the goal for PSG went in we saw a change in approach.
The Zinchenko change was the missing piece for City and I think Cancelo being on a yellow card made Pep do the sub earlier.
The visualisation below by @RB1805 showed how he was influenctial in the buildup and he played a part in the first goal. https://twitter.com/RB1805/status/1387524291030392835?s=19
The visualisation below by @RB1805 showed how he was influenctial in the buildup and he played a part in the first goal.
https://twitter.com/RB1805/status/1387524291030392835?s=19
Conclusion:
Pep made important tweaks and subs which allowed us to control the game, but imo he should've started like that because that is what we have been doing in this winning run. I can understand why he started with this because PSG are a dangerous side on the break.
Pep made important tweaks and subs which allowed us to control the game, but imo he should've started like that because that is what we have been doing in this winning run. I can understand why he started with this because PSG are a dangerous side on the break.
A great performance by the likes of Gundogan, Mahrez, Bernardo and Dias as they were vital for the win. This season our set-piece ability has also improved massively and credit has to be given to the backroom staff and set-piece coach.
