From the tactics used in pre-season, it is pretty obvious that Pep is moving away from the CB to CDM tactic and leaning towards playing two CDMs: one as a stay-back cover and the other as a bridge between defense and attack.
In the pre-season, we saw Kovacic play the stay-back role with Nico playing the bridge in some games, and the other way around in others. Kovacic may be the best at carrying and transitioning the ball and may well be Pep's number one in that position. But the problem is, with Rodri and Kovacic starting, that will leave one midfield spot and three players—Foden, De Bruyne, and Bernardo—competing for it.
This means that to keep the players happy, Pep will need to play one of them in the bridge position and bench Kovacic. I think Pep will be very reluctant to do this but will have no choice but to attempt it once or twice to try and integrate a Rodri, Foden, and De Bruyne midfield. The only way this could work is if Foden improves his defensive positioning and aggression to play the bridge role because, let's be honest, De Bruyne is the better CAM. Plus, if Foden manages to develop that skill set, it could open new doors for him with the England squad. Also, Next year, if we get Musiala, they could both continue to play for years to come.
by Rinicko_
10 comments
Sorry you’ve formatted this weird so I can’t do an inline quote.
But I don’t agree with your initial premise, that Pep is moving away from CB stepping forward for one simple reason: Pep only uses that tactic with players that are actually good at it. No Stones or Akanji in those pre season games. It would have been insane to ask that of the players that were available in the summer, it’s such a demanding role.
So I don’t think it’s possible to judge whether he’s making that adjustment until we see how we sets up with the actual first team.
Kova is growing more and more into the squad and I like it. For bottom table teams, we might not need kova so maybe we get to see that Foden Rodri combo but in crucial games we need Kova n the good thing about playing him is it allows us to play 2 dynamic wingers simultaneously imo
I think given Alvarez is gone, Pep might play either KDB, Bernardo or Foden as false 9 when Haaland is not in 11. This allows Rodri-Kovacic (or Nico-Kovacic) double CDM and having 2 of afore mentioned CMs. Problem is, it is hard to give minutes to every player in Manchester City and that is why I believe we won’t buy any player this season. We lack a Rodri replacement and it is hard to find a guy who can play in place of Rodri when he is resting, and is okay with his minutes. Also our midfield is bloated. Last year KDB was injured most of the year and this allowed Alvarez to play more minutes than expected. This year we have Kovacic and Nunes who might want more minutes and I don’t know if we can please everyone.
I wouldn’t focus on tactics in preseason. My impression of pep in preseason is he makes lineups to test specific players in positions to see if they thrive.
In reg season Pep uses different tactics in each game to suit the best available players he has. We will see all the different pep tactics all year just like last year and I assume Pep will add a few just to keep teams guessing on how they should stop the buildup phase. The purpose of changing is so no team can predict him.
For Foden though specifically I see the same 2/3 options as last year. Lower table teams we’ll play with 2 CAMs and a distinct winger. Against better teams it’ll be 1 CAMs with a fake winger (kyle walker stretching the pitch on the right to allow Foden to tuck inside from RW and become 2nd CAM). In TOP CLUB games we’ll see Bernardo/Foden/Walker all swapping between taking width, second pivot in buildup or just usual positions just to mess their press up.
I am curious whether we’ll see a return to direct wing play with Savio/Doku over the season BC that will influence the midfield a lot.
Youre talking about pre season why like half of the starters were missing. Pep will do what he has always done, which is being pragmatic about using his players. He isnt married to a CB moving up field, it was simply a necessity to create the numerical advantage in the midfield.
People often make the mistake of focusing on positions when it comes to Pep’s system, when in reality Pep doesnt care about a position. He couldnt care less whether he has a CDM and two CM’s, two CDM’s and a CAM and so on. No, its all about spaces on the pitch. Thats why City is so beautiful to watch because the players effortlessly are leaving zones which are then filled by another player. Its a pretty fluid system in that regard.
Secondly, it also depends heavily on the opponent. A bus parking, counter attacking team will call for a different set up than a more attacking opponent and so on.
Thats a convoluted way of saying: No, nothing is obvious based on some pre season games.
“midfield bridge” is mad just call it box to box it’s nothing special
Are we all just going to act surprised when Foden, De Bruyne and Bernardo end up rotating a false 9 role? A lot of potential games this season, everyone will get their chance
He’s practicing for when he takes the England job and has Bellingham play the box to box role.
Matheus Nunes’ breakout season, I’m so ready. I will be there no matter what, ping me in 2025.
You forgot McAtee. If Pep plays 4-1-4-1. Out of KDB, Foden, McAtee and Silva, only 2 plays. If he plays 4-2-3-1. Out of Rodri, Kova, Nunes, Nico, only 2 plays. The 4 wingers will rotate among themselves. We will see a lot of rotation. The midfield minutes are going to be shared heavily. That’s why we can’t bring in a player unless someone leaves. Perrone is there, i like him, but most probably he will go on loan or maybe sold.