Let's Talk Tactics - Manchester City Positional Attacking Structure

📝 Pep Guardiola's teams are known for being excellent in their positional attack during the offensive phase of the game. Here we analyze the structure that has been implemented by Manchester City this season to create positional attacks, especially against teams who defend with a low block.

Guardiola often plays with a back three when going up against a team that deploys two front men. This gives City numerical advantage for build-up play as well as being properly positioned in case of a counterattack (3v2). This also gives City the possibility to push an extra player up the field.

Their strength is no doubt in midfield where they are able to have numerical advantage by one or even two players. The positioning of the (8,10) becomes key once they penetrate the first two lines of the defending team. It is in this position that Guardiola wants them to receive the ball and start running at the defensive line to create scoring opportunities. Having a packed middle channel also better protects City from counterattacks in case of lost possession.

The two wide men (7,11) are extremely important because they are the ones who have to stretch the field and give width to the team. Having the wingers hold their wide positions - no matter where the ball is - prevents the defending team from further closing inside and reducing the space between the lines both vertically and horizontally.

Haaland who is mostly deployed as a sole striker is there to occupy both center-backs, preventing them from stepping up and pressuring the midfield players. He is the one who holds the defensive line back, giving his teammates (especially the midfielders) more space to play and move around while looking to create danger.

What are your thoughts? Leave your comments below...👇

Guillermo Hamdan Zaragoza