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Breaking Teams Using A Five Man Midfield
How Manchester City Broke The English Top Flight Winning Streak
Check Out The Full Manchester City Analysis on Youtube:
Base Structure
Manchester City implement a 4–3–3 in their high block defensively. For nearly all their games in the Premier League this season this is where they have spent most of their time when in the defensive phase, the high block. From here when they win the ball back they transition fluidly, but also drastically into a 3–2–3–2 shape.
Creating Height & Width
One staple in a Manchester City side is the width being created by players occupying the roles of wingers in high and wide positions. At the start of the season this wasn’t the case with their wingers and Pep addressed the issue which gave his team more potential to create space and test their opponents horizontal compactness.
The wingers are usually the highest players threatening in behind as well as providing the width and forcing the defense to stretch across the full width of the field.
Advanced Area Occupation
The three main areas that Manchester City occupy between the lines are both half spaces and the central corridor. The ST or 9 occupies the central corridor in front of CBs and in behind the central midfielders. This gives them a lot of…
