![\"Bristol](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Bristol-City-v-Middlesbrough-Sky-Bet-Championship-Football-Ashton-Gate-Bristol-UK-20-Dec-2025.jpg\")
Bristol City head coach Gerhard Struber looks on(Image: Will Cooper\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\nThe Bristol City boss’ verdict after the 2-0 win over MiddlesbroughBristol City head coach Gerhard Struber looks on(Image: Will Cooper\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
Gerhard Struber detailed how he changed Bristol City\u2019s shape to try and combat Middlesbrough<\/a> – who he said were one of the best teams they\u2019ve played, despite their 2-0 success.<\/p>\n With much success on the counter, Struber masterminded his side\u2019s victory over Boro<\/a> at Ashton Gate. It ended Kim Hellberg\u2019s perfect start to life at Boro.<\/p>\n Usually one to set up with a back three, the Robins actually started with a 4-2-3-1 on Saturday, switching later to a 3-5-2 in the second half as Boro pushed for an equaliser.<\/p>\n Struber explained: \u201cWe know that they always overload the wide areas on a good level with dynamic play. And when you have a 4-3-2-1 you have more levels that you can create outside always the two-versus-one, which is one of our big principles in our style of play.<\/p>\n \u201cBut also, they find ways out; they find exits sometimes. For us, it was not easy to deal with Ayling. He played on a really good level in how he built up the game and he always played in the last moments. This was so difficult for us to anticipate the build-up from them.<\/p>\n \u201cThen we changed to a 5-3-2. So today we have many, many different shapes and this was good to see. It was not easy for the boys today to deal with the changes so many times.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I think this was also necessary in the moment that we did not give them the chance to come back into it.\u201d<\/p>\n On his overall reflections of his side\u2019s win, with compliments towards Boro, the Robins boss added: \u201cI would say an important win at the right time. We know what’s been going on the last two weeks, and we were a bit unlucky sometimes.<\/p>\n \u201cToday we played against a really, really good team. This was in my time, I would say here, one of the best teams, with the momentum that they have.<\/p>\n \u201cYou could feel the confidence from the players, especially in the build-up. They always played at the last moment, so it was so difficult to find the pressing trigger.<\/p>\n \u201cWe changed the shape today, three, four times from left to right, and we also brought them a little bit out of the pockets. I think the mix of all the things, but of course, the attitude from the players, how we defend our own box, how we block shots, how we come in transitions\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a little bit of a lucky moment with the first goal, but Emil Riis against Middlesbrough is always a special thing. He always scores! Then, in the end, Sinclair Armstrong was also in transition moments again on a really high level.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I think we deserved that. It was a fighting performance, a fighting game and gives us a really good feeling before Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n ————<\/p>\n Here at TeessideLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Middlesbrough FC<\/a> coverage and analysis.<\/strong><\/p>\n Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest Boro news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here<\/a> to subscribe.<\/strong><\/p>\n Your information will be hidden, you’ll only ever receive messages from the Teesside Live sports team, and you can leave any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n