Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are one of the most deadly attacking forces in world football. They are a team who play with a clear identity. Very composed in build up and with a goalkeeper who can kick it 70 yards and this is a weapon that can give them another edge as it forces opposition to drop off. When pressed high they drop a midfielder back to overload the area and also drop the full backs which gives them a numerical advantage playing out.

In the oppositions half they look to switch the ball from one side to the other with wide men providing maximum width. It is the attacking midfielders who then look to play between the full back and center half and exploit the half space. When looking to play central if on, Aguero drops deep between the lines with the attacking midfielders willing to run behind.

Key features

• Create overloads

• Switching the play

• Maximum width through wingers

• Attacking mids exploiting half space

• Striker dropping deep

• At least 3 players attacking crosses

• Ruthless finishing

There is a clear identity with City’s play and Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva are huge cogs in the City wheel especially when it comes to the half space.

City can be exposed on the turnover due to the wide men playing so wide. A team like this must be good in possession which they are but they can be vulnerable at times on the transition. Many teams will look to set up in a 1541 defensive shape to nullify the half space runs which has caused City problems this year. Check out a link of this shape being use to combat the system https://okeeffe-fitness.squarespace.com/soccer-tactical-analysis/2020/5/13/west-ham-541-defending

One thing is for sure City have a clear identity and player profile when attacking. Dynamic, exciting and easy on the eye. Simply devastating when on top form