Manchester City Defending
This week we feature Manchester City in the 2019 Carabao Cup Final vs Chelsea.
We all know what an outstanding attacking unit Pep Guardiola's men so this analysis focuses on their excellent defending.
To win titles good defending is a must and City have it in abundance.
Keys to good defending:
Compactness as team
Organisation and discipline
Entire team understanding to pressing cues and triggers
Intensity and hunger to win ball back
Setting traps to compress field and win ball
Communication, verbal and non verbal (hand gestures)
From the front Aguero screens DM whilst also pressing CBS and keeper, He then forces the opposition to one side.
Players screening passing lanes and press once the ball is traveling. They only go once ball is played and is travelling.
When opponents move to one side notice how opposite wingers ( Sterling and Silva) tuck right in to compress the field
If 1st press broken with no pressure on ball and threat behind team know when to DROP, DELAY and get compact. This buys time for recovery players but also makes the attacking player think harder on the pass he delivers.
On throw ins watch for how compressed City make the field, Opposite wide man comes right across
Tactical fouls, Fernandinho and Vincent Kompany know when to foul and pick up the card. This is cynical but clever and shows the importance of TEAM FIRST.
Counter press: City even on possession will tuck opposite full back inside to add body to midfield in order to win ball back quickly should it be turned over.
City are applauded time and again for their beautiful attacking football but defending wins titles and in all four functions of the game City are fully equipped.
There is an art to good defending and when you have great attacking to match.............You're in business!