Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United: possession versus counter-attack
The starting line-ups
Manchester United stormed into a 0-2 lead, City got it back to 2-2, then United pinched the win very late on.
Roberto Mancini went with Mario Balotelli upfront rather than Carlos Tevez – the rest of his side was as expected.
Antonio Valencia was surprisingly declared fit, so Sir Alex Ferguson chose the same XI he selected in United’s most comparable fixture this season, the 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge in October.
In one sense United were fortunate to win the match because of the manner of their late winner, in another they were unfortunate not to be 3-0 up earlier in the second half. In a match of contrasting approaches, United carried out theirs more effectively.
City start brightly
However, City were unquestionably the better side in the opening 15 minutes. The game was more open than expected – although United were counter-attacking rather than seeking to dominate possession, their positioning was positive. Wayne Rooney dropped back onto Gareth Barry or Yaya Toure, rather than playing as a permanent midfielder (as rumoured) while United’s defence started high up the pitch, rather than close to their own penalty box.
This caused them problems, however, as the Aguero-Balotelli combination threatened to sprint in behind. Both players actually started in deep positions, in the space between United’s midfielders and defence. With Samir Nasri and David Silva both drifting into the middle and overloading Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley, United’s centre-backs were tempted higher up the pitch but found themselves forced to turn and sprint quickly. Rio Ferdinand and Aguero had a small squabble when Aguero went to ground after trying to get in behind Ferdinand, while Jonny Evans wasn’t similarly exposed in this match, but had history to think about – having been sent off for bringing down Balotelli in the 1-6 last season.
With those two providing pace in behind the defence, Silva and Nasri tried to find pockets of space to play through-balls. United’s closing down in the first five minutes was very effective, but when the game settled down and the tempo cooled slightly, both had too much space. Nasri didn’t move the ball quickly or play ambitious passes, but Silva had license to move where he wanted, and was a clear threat. He was happy to drop deeper than Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley to get space, and lofted a good ball over the top of the defence from that position.
United counter-attack
But while this was causing United problems, they weren’t trying to win the possession battle – they were concentrating on playing on the break. Their opener was a classic counter-attacking goal, featuring all the elements you need when playing on the break; van Persie drew a centre-back out of position, Young stormed forward past his man, and United hit City before their midfield was in a position to protect their defence.
Their second goal was extremely similar to the way United attacked in the aforementioned win over Chelsea. Rafael broke unmarked past David Silva – just as he’d done past Eden Hazard – to combine with with Antonio Valencia, whoselow cutback found Rooney for the second. Valencia hasn’t been at his best this season, but his combinations with Rafael are very promising – the wide midfielder is a good defensive player, the full-back is excellent at overlapping. Carrick always directed play to the right:
This allowed United to defend a little deeper. Trying to play exclusively on the counter-attack would have been foolish at 0-0, considering their terrible performance in the 1-0 defeat here last year. But at 0-1 and 0-2, United had something to protect, and therefore caution was more appropriate. Evans and Ferdinand played deeper towards the end of the first half, while Michael Carrick occupied the space in front of the defence effectively.
Second half
Despite starting in a very interesting manner, there was no progression to the tactical battle. Two changes were made because of injuries to centre-backs, but with the exception of substitutions made in the final five minutes, the only significant move was Mancini replacing Balotelli with Carlos Tevez.
Tevez floated around in the hole while Aguero moved higher up, but while Aguero and Balotelli had combined literally in the first half, Aguero and Tevez’s relationship is more indirect and based around space – Tevez thrives in the spacecreated by Aguero’s acceleration forcing the opposition defence deeper. The type of passes Aguero received changed after the substitution:
After half-time City moved the ball quickly, and penetrated United’s defence when Ferdinand and (substitute) Chris Smalling were still high up the pitch. Their first goal may have been a scramble, but even the initial move came from a very direct attack – the initial chance, for Tevez, came after three consecutive vertical balls, taking City from defence to attack within seconds, slicing through United’s lines quickly. The pattern continued – first Tevez was getting space between the lines and released Aguero running up against Chris Smalling, then the move was reversed when Tevez came under pressure from Evra after an Aguero pass.
Closing stages
At this point, you wondered why United were being so proactive – every time they got two banks of four behind the ball, they looked solid. Every time an initial pass was allowed to bisect Carrick and Cleverley to a man in space, they looked nervous. By attacking more readily, they left themselves exposed to counter-attacks.
Dzeko’s introduction allowed City to play longer, but the late flurry of set-piece activity decided the game. Valencia had been occupying the space near the ‘D’ when United were defending corners, but was replaced by Phil Jones and no-one took over Valencia’s duty. Jones was spare on the edge of the six-yard box, glancing around for someone to mark, for the corner that led to Pablo Zabaleta’s equaliser. Meanwhile, United’s winner was down to Nasri’s laughable understanding of what constitutes being part of a wall.
Conclusion
The broad pattern was a clash of hugely contrasting approaches, but the result eventually came down to the basics of defending set-plays in the final ten minutes. And not even tactical debates like ‘man marking versus zonal marking’, or ‘men on the post versus no men on the post’, but simple, elementary factors like passing on set-piece responsibilities at substitutions, and standing up properly in the wall.
That said, the first goal was crucial in this match. In being scored by United, it confirmed the pattern of the game – they’d play on the counter, City would dominate possession. The only caveat was United’s surprising level of ambition in the second half. Playing deeper would have made it more difficult for City to penetrate, and might have allowed more space for Ferguson’s side to break into. In big games, the first half approach appears to be United’s best bet.
After the weekends result do you think City can still win the Premier League? Check out the latest title odds at betfair.com.
Gareth Barry has got to be one of the worst football players I’ve ever seen play, he really is truly awful.
United’s big players turned up today. Thought Ferdinand was solid, positionally very good. Carrick one of the most underrated players of all time, and Rooney played an intelligent, disciplined and also quality game. Plus De Gea is easily one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
MUFC. THE CITY IS OURS.
After reading the last sentence the rest of your post was put starkly into perspective.
By the way, this city that is ‘yours’ – which one is that then?
Manchester is red, always has been and always will be, we laugh at City, there an embarassement.
Let me talk about some of my statements in more detail.
De Gea – best shot stopper in the world, some of the saves he makes are just incredible. He’s improving at claiming crosses, command of his box, 2 very important punches today. So when that’s sorted, what more can you want.
This is mainly in response to Chaz, how is my statement ironic? Barry is not in the same league as Carrick. People always say the same thing about Barry, ‘he does a job’ ‘you’d notice him if he’s gone’ ‘he does the dirty work’. No. That’s the easy way of getting around explaining what he actually does, nothing. Barry is poor on the ball, looks so clumsy and unnatural, can’t dictate a game, his reactions are unbelievably slow, no aggression in his play. The lack of aggression isn’t necessarily a bad thing, if he was clever enough to read the game, and be alert to make interceptions, but he’s not good at that either, Rooney played between the lines when he wanted today. So slow to react and get close to players, then the play is already gone and past him.
Carrick on the other hand, as i say, one of the most underrated players around. Technically one of England’s best players. Rooney, the genius that is Scholes, and Wilshere are the only players ahead of Carrick with technical play. It’s a disgrace that he’s widely criticized by English football fans, particularly the English fans who bemoan ‘how far we are behind Spain’ ‘how poor we are on the ball’ well we have a player who can oontrol tempo, start play from deep, comfortable on the ball with a good range of passing, yet for years he’s been ignored in favour of that technically woeful oaf Gareth Barry!
As for Rooney, what a player. Love him in the classic no.10 role and he’s great for starting counter attacks. He’s got the intelligence to just drift between those lines, then the quality to play those balls, such a complete player, to see some of the articles recently questioning whether he’s lived up to his potential, unbelievable!! One of the most complete footballers in the world.
Lastly, big Rio at the back. Positionally immense today, solid in the air, and probably still technically the best English centre half around. Game was getting really frenetic at the point just after City had got back in the game, they was pressing intensely, Rio under pressure picked out a 40 yard ping bang on for Ashley Young.
MUFC. THE CITY IS OURS.
fanboy alert!
Since when is David De Gea the best shot stopper in the world?
All the best players in the world grub for United, didn’t you know? The rest are simply amateurs at best.
To say what you said about Barry and then go on to compliment Carrick, man, that has to be one of the most ironic statements I’ve ever seen. But I should hardly be surprised, you claim De Gea, a man that struggles to stay in the starting XI, to be among the world’s best.
I will agree with you on Ferdinand and Rooney, they were top class today.
Proper Man City fans will wonder what the game would have been like if Milner was fit and played ahead of Nasri. Like Balotelli, the Frenchman is losing a lot of fans through his lack of commitment to the club.
Evra made a solid case for his inclusion in the French national side, clearly having the better game than his compatriot Gael Clichy.
Finally, Toure was perhaps the most interesting substitution. I felt that his inclusion was to allow a back 3 later on with Maicon coming on at RWB and Zabaletta moving to LWB. City drop into this formation when they need a goal, but Balotelli’s impotent play forced a forward substitution and Mancini was never going to use his last sub on a defender.
Thrilling match, clearly the two best teams in the BPL at the moment.
I think it was in Michael Cox’ Guardian preview, he mentioned Yaya Toure would be at his best as an attacking midfielder. I don’t think I really noticed him in the attacking third until well into the 2nd half, when City looked threatening. I was glad to see him be subbed out. Credit to Cleverly, I thought he had a good match and his energy seemed to help against Yaya. I had expected Carrick-Fletcher-Cleverly, with Rooney playing deep. Young and Valencia’s ability to drop back seems to have been in the difference in United being able to go with just 2 in the center.
Barry is 1, a good player and 2, was very good in the derby.
Hes a good player because he rarely gives the ball away and his defensive position is excellent.
Hes also a left-footed holding midfielder, which is useful as he can be paired with a right-footed holder, obviously much more common, to make a double-pivot that can mark anybody out of a game.
However he cannot play at left-back as one would have thought, I remember an Aston Villa UEFA cup game in about 2008/09 when ONeill tried to mix up his players positions and Barrys positioning at LB was terrible.
Thats because he gets forward in midfield and gets the odd goal. A good player, probably one of City’s best signings.
cleverly was good yesterday.
Evra has always been terrible for France, no matter his club form. I don’t see that changing anymore at 30+.
Nowhere to hide, that’s the problem.
not really ironic at all. carrick is a much better player than barry. the fact they play the same role doesn’t matter at all, that’s like saying someone praising ozil but slating taarabt is ironic.
barry is lucky to have been in the city team so long. last year he was in the team more or less because the other option, de jong is too defensive/poor on the ball, amd the signings of garcia and rodwell indicate mancini think he’s a weak link – it’s just that rodwell and garcia haven’t looked any better.
i think part of it is because people assume that because he plays as a holding midfielder and goes unnoticed that means he must be underrated. i just think he’s very mediocre and there are literally dozens of midfielders who would do a better job than him if they played for man city.
I wrote a reply and it didnt appear (?) anyway
Gareth Barry is a good player in general and he was good in this derby
Defensively his positioning is excellent and he rarely gives the ball away with his passing.
Also he’s a left-footed holding midfielder, which is useful as he can be paired with (the much more common) Right-footed holding midfielder, a double pivot which can be useful for marking anyone out of a game.
He cannot however play at left-back as one would have thought; I remember an Aston Villa UEFA Cup game in about 2008/09 when ONeill shifted his players around, and Barry’s positioning at LB was terrible.
But he’s a good player, one of City’s best signings in my opinion. And i’m not just saying it to be contrary.
the fact that you’re citing the fact he happens to be left footed as one of his supposed strengths speaks volumes, really. barry isn’t a particularly good passer. he has no range to his passing, his completion percentages aren’t overly impressive and he very rarely makes incisive passes that open the opposition up. city probably would still have won the league if they had, say, mulumbu or glenn whelan instead of barry.
that’s not to say i think he’s awful, i just hate how he and carrick get compared to each other just because they play the same role, and it is a bit embarrassing that he has so many caps for england
Clear and precise analysis as always Mr Cox!
It’d be interesting to hear how much people think the loss of Evans changed things for United? His distribution and vision for those long diagonal balls really helps with transitions and helping the attacking play.
City’s transition from defense to attack is awful… Especially when heir opposition has time to organize themselves, it’s never found out in England because most teams sacrifice the central territory battle and just sit deep looking to crowd their box. It’s how Dortmund and Ajax controlled all 4 matches against city, and why they are a fraction of themselves in Europe, Neither Gareth Barry or Javi Garcia are the deep midfielder they need,with Yaya Toure’s energy and power they could afford a more elegant deep midfielder to control and distribute possession.
Interesting comment and rather typical for the way the english think about football, I reckon. You explain city’s shortcomings in transition, which is a matter of collective movement, and still the only remedy you find is to switch one position to a different type of player. Nope, it is not that easy, what’s missing is something you can’t just buy on the transfer market: situative collective movement and positioning of the whole team on the offence and defence. City is not only lacking something in their offensive transitional play, it’s even worse on the defence. When Dortmund loose the ball, there’s an immediate aggressive reaction of the whole team, same with Barca btw. Immediate pressing.
Guess that sounds typical too… Yes, I’m german. Vorsprung durch Taktik. Never thought I’d say that, as in that regard we’ve been behind nearly everyone for many years. But rejoice, it may not be as successfull as it used to be, but english football produces more frentic, entertaining games than most other leagues. Maybe that’s more important, even inevitable, if you commercialize the game this much. As everything in live, you got to set priorities.
They did try to and sign a top class deep lying playmaker the entire summer like De Rossi.
That is why Macini was complaining that he do not have enough options in the midfield. The sad thing is that most English journalist and writers that follows the English game failed to notice Man City do not have a registas. I am sure the owners were influenced to some extend by the English press, and their argument that Man City have enough midfielders.
Most top European sides that won the champion league usually have a world class registas. Barcelona have Busquets, Real Madrid have Xabi Alonso, AC Milan used to have Pirlo and Man Utd have Carrick.
I honestly thought Silva did not do enough – and has been sub par for a long, long time. He had lots of space but created little. His final pass was what I found most disappointing. As for Nasri, he is pointless to have in the starting 11 at the moment.
Other than that, United looked good despite their relative frailty at the back.
I completely disagree with this! Silva was dropping deep, trying to ping ball in behind the defense and ran around a lot more than NAsri and Ballotell, who was anonymous and hardly did anything of ambition.
United’s three toughest games this season away to Liverpool (included because of the history and passion with which the game is played), Chelsea and city have all been won by United being clinical on the counter down the right but conceding the middle. This strategy is obviously less effective at home, I wonder what Fergie’s plans will be in the reverse fixtures? My guess is that as long as the are ahead in the league, he will be happy to keep it tight, playing on the break as he did here but nevertheless happy with a 0-0 if it pans out like that.
I fear that against quality European teams, United will not be able to play on the counter as much and get found out technically in the middle a lot more. Barca, Madird, Munich and Dortmund will all fare fairly well against us I think. Not seen much of the other teams we could face. Thoughts, Michael?
PS, nice to see some United players really stepping up today, Cleverly, Young in particular, and Rafael hasn’t been affected by being taken off early at Reading.
Still not a big fan of Cleverly, think he’s better at the role he played today as opposed to the no.10 role, think he’s pretty poor as a number 10. Agree about Young though, was causing Zabaleta quite a few problems, and Rafael was solid at the back.
We generally do struggle in Europe. I’m sure you’d agree, if we could aim one criticism of Sir Alex it’d be his European record, although the 2 wins are still fantastic. If we tried to go out and attack those teams I think all 4 of them would beat us in my personal opinion. Still think the blueprint to beat Barcelona is the Chelsea way of last season, any other way we played they’d easily beat us, similar to how it was in Wembley 2011. Madrid’s attack would be too much for us, Dortmund’s attacking intensity and quick play would be too much for us as well I think. Seen very little of Munich so can’t really comment on them.
I think our best way of play would be to focus on a complete out and out counter attack style centred around Rooney, with the pace of Valencia/Young on the wings, I think we’d be a genuine threat, but this only seems to be effective away from home, as you have eluded to. the home form is different, the home style of play is also different,and I think the teams you’ve mentioned, we wouldn’t play in the way we do away from home, like we do at home, and we’ll just end up getting overpowered. Hope I’m wrong.
Well, for the 2nd round at least we’ll have the first leg away, so perhaps a succesful counter-attacking game in the first leg will see us in a dominant position for the second, in which we can sit back and also play somewhat on the break. Hopefully if we get the first legs away from home in subsequent legs then we’ll have half a chance.
I wouldn’t been too down on Fergie’s Euro record. Admittedly, from the 99 final to the 7-1 over Roma, it was appalling (3 wins in 15 knockout matches) but the subsequent 4 years were glorious, no? Three finals and one win, another semi-final (I think), only losing (if somewhat spectacularly) to the best club side of the last 20 years. Being second best to that Barca side is nothing to be ashsamed of.
Being so outclassed and tactically poor is though.
I wouldn’t say ‘outclassed’. Chelsea last year barely got a whiff of the ball in both semis and the final, but their gameplan worked to perfection.
Tactics is about maximizing your strengths, minimizing weaknessess. If Fergie sees our strengths on the wing and on the counterattack, and realises it would be suicidal to strongly contest the middle, then that’s good tactics.
Agree with you,losing twice from Barca is realy nothing to be ashamed of,the most dominating team since Ajax in the 70-s.And people forget that SAF also won 2 more european trophys Cup Winers Cup with Aberdeen and MU.
Watch Man City-Madrid game of last month in UCL. Madrid played almost the similar game as Man Utd in the 1st half. Dortmund too likes to play on counters only and rely less on the posession. So Man utd wouldn’t be as exposed to them in the middle of the field has feared. Against Barcelona, well I don’t have a remedy but surely Cleverly/Ando/Kagawa would do lot better than Giggsy-Carrick two man mf.
Hello Mike,
I want to ask you what you thought about United’s disallowed goal during the period where they were 2-0 up.
Also I would like to ask: What did you think of the advanced positioning of Zabaleta and Clichy? Were they effective enough on your opinion?
What’s to think about? It was onside, but was ruled offside, simple as that.
I felt that Balotelli’s position was more out on city’s left/united’s right and that Aguero was being dealt with by Rio and Evans more. It seemed that Balotelli was trying to create an aerial mismatch against Rafael and/or get the ball and come in on his right foot.
United will get punished in the champions league when they play against teams with real cohesion. Such an ugly style they are playing they weren’t better than city today, seems that they lucked out more than anything else to me.
I read the article on Guardian first and was disapointed and then came here to seek more elabortion. There is some but not as much as I’ve expected. Although The general analysis has been good but would have loved your analysis based upon your preview where the battle was more about containing Yaya and how Rooney would cope with marking Yaya and vice-versa.
As for the match, The young goal was completely onside and would have changed the complexion of the game. Who knows there might not have been any comeback by city but then again the injury time winners are the sweetest and even Man City supporters know that.
Mu may be able to dominate all the teams in UK but,believe me ,theywill come unstuck in the cl.They wont make it past the qf and if they get to the final,they will lose.Top euro coaches are not as naive as guys like Wenger . They wil play redfaced at his own game.
In last night’s game lunging tackles by Rooney and another rd were not punished by the ref.I have seen players doing these dangerous tackles sent off.I don’t know but it seems to me there is one law for rf and another for other teams. And that’s why he is always winning .Rest assured he will be found out in the cl with or without the ugly brit bulldog and the dm.
Why didn’t Mancini start Teves ahead of Balotelli, and how much did Yaya Toure’s injury affect the game……and also Barry sucks. Read more here:
http://www.therationalpie.com/man-city-2-man-utd-3-last-minute-winners-and-bloodshed-on-the-pitch-welcome-to-manchester/
As usual, Spot on analysis.
Although why no mention of young? I groaned when I read Young’s name in the starting line-up, but he really upped his game yesterday..
Thanks for losing out on us Anuschka
Most people took an opening over Christmas day and the year but we’ve been back in the Serps FM studio because of tonight! Thanks listening.Eliz Vince
Surprisingly open game!
Not really played at a high level, but exciting.
City are one of the toughest teams to grasp, based on their approach… yet they have enjoyed plenty of success with their awkward approach.
And by this I mean, the philosoophy beind their play. They always seem to be reataining possession when they should be more direct and vice-versa…
In this game they should be copycating United’s approach, and explore the quick counter option…. I mean, if you have Aguero and Balotteli upfront, that should always be the main option, as neither is particularly effective against a crowded box.
Instead, City were always too predictable with their 1st pass, and this meant, Aguero (and later Tevez) could never find space between the lines (like Rooney did brilliantly in the 1st half, before letting his ego get in the way of his play in the 2nd half), because they let United’s midfielder had time to retreat.
And I guess I’ll never understand the logic behind playing Nasri and Silva at the same time, because they are way too similar to offer any variety in their game…. it seems counter-intuitive, but adding players who like to drift inside just narrows City’s play (no matter how creative they are).
And if you look at how conservatitve both fullbacks were, there was no one exploiting the space out wide.
United were better throughout because they were more fluid and dynamic.
Rooney was left unattended and was MoM despite his abysmal 2nd half, when he started drifting too much, and slowed down many of United’s attacks with his excessive ball retention.
Rafael stormed forward unmarked and that bravery always created an overload past City’s rigidness and unwillingness to explore the wide areas.
Cleverly was also key, because he won his match with Yaya, his movement, aggressiveness and ability to play simple, was key in one area that could prove in City’s favour.
City always looked promising when they upped their tempo, but it was not part of the masterplan and that ultimately lead them to loosing the tactical battle.
Not a good week for City, you have to wonder how much long it will be “cool” to play for Manchester City. OR how much longer they will go with their coach. This a collection of players not a team, the wheels could come off in hurry.
3 shots on target from man u, and 3 goals.. De gea was good as usual. doubts about Hart for utd’s 3rd goal. man utd’s back 4 had some surprisingly low passing accuracy figures… rafael 60%, rio 67% , evans 71% …. whereas city had nastasic 83%, kompany 90%, kolo toure 91 % . overall city’s pass success was almost 10% higher
let me just start up with applauding cleverly i thought he was quite decent today he used the players around him very well . moved the ball around plus his movement was also very good ( passing and receiving the ball a trait in which the english midfielders are not known for ).he just needs to grow now and SAF has shown faith in him . he should learn to read the game better and be a little less stiffer . he has a good eye for pass and his crosses are also very good.
now if you had watched city’s games then city had conceded most goals it also shows the fact that they had dominated possession but hadnt been able to convert that into goals . they have one of the best side in europe but still mancini’s team had been short of ideas in opening opposition defenses and this was far too evident in the first half when utd scored the first goal city looked ragged and most importantly if they are not allowed to play their game then they seem to be lost and most importantly they dont seem to have a plan A or B or change of style except for change of personal .the most important fact is their midfielders seem to lack that understanding to read the game and most importantly their captain who should be marshaling the troops from the back looks to be short of reading the game . where were city’s midfielders for the second goal .
Some interesting points you didn’t mention:
Kompany’s absence meant that his replacement wasn’t as brave as Kompany was in the fixtures last season where he would follow Rooney quite high up the pitch and handle him one-on-one not allowing him to get turned in his favourite pocket of space. In this match the Roon seemed to be allowed to play the classic 10 without anyone much bothering with him.
United playing a very long passing game from the back, been a while since I’ve seen any team have 2 centrebacks play the ball so long so accurately so often.
You mention set pieces being important but this is a consequence of the play being forced wide which was Uniteds game plan with Evra tucking in a lot, I feel like if they’d isolated Evra more they could have got some joy out of him but you saw City doing their usual overcrowding on the wing with a little triangle, meaning that it was actually Carrick who ended up furthest on the wing but with so many players around he wasn’t that exposed. You could have forecast goals from set pieces since United are scoring a lot from corners this season with their plethora of strikers and new left footed corner taker, they’re also conceding a lot from corners because their defence is a disgrace.
I never think that works for Kompany, though. He always gets too tight, fouls Rooney, gets booked and then can’t do it any more. He also got drawn out of position for the first goal by RVP.
Obviously City would rather have him last the 90, but I thought Toure did surprisingly well
i think that the next game that you would analyze would be inter-napoli but i would like to just like you to consider if you would analyze westham-livrpool game not that it was a interesting tactical battle but the fact that these two teams play the two different styles a english game versus the continental style .
the reason i am asking because i was a severe critic of big sam earlier but then his team has a plan to approach the game a thing that is most required when you coach a side and i like it . hope you consider .
Sir Alex also pulled a ploy on Mancini as well which probably is worth mentioning. He declared Cleverly and Valencia unfit for the game. Ahead of the match versus Chelsea, he flirted with the diamond formation, declared in a press conference that he’ll make a decision soon whether he’ll abandon United’s traditional wing play in favor of a center heavy midfield. But up came a United side set up to counter attack both Chelsea and City. Di Matteo and Mancini may or may not have fell for it because they might have set up the same way even if United are going to attack down the wings, but the quadruple of Hazard, Mata, Nasri and Silva down the flanks was clearly ripe for United to exploit. A match review of a match should not cover events outside of the match itself, but this particular element is probably of significant bearing, tactically.
If these are the top two teams in the EPL, then is that a further indication of the decline in the quality of this league? Yes, there were pockets of top class play – the odd really good quality move. But on the whole, I thought the match was poor quality – there were very long passages, and many of them, in which neither team could keep possession for even 3 passes in a row (excluding switching around around the back four under no pressure).
At times, the ball bounced around with the uncontrolled football characteristic of college boys football. It looked more like an A-League match for much of the time.
I’m certainly not interested in knocking either of the teams, but Man U is 6 points ahead and doesn’t yet really look like a convincing team in terms of European standards. How will they fare once they come up against quality opposition in the Champions League knockout stage?
By that rationale, the only ‘top’ teams in Europe are Barca, Bayern and Dortmund. And they certainly are better than Man Utd this season (including Juventus). But it is not neccessarily the best team that wins the Champions League, Chelsea last season being the most obvious example. Sir Alex just has to make sure he gets his strategy right, like he did in the first half in this match – counterattck with pace on flanks.
Look at Dortmund’s form in Bundesliga. 14 points behind the leaders. Only so much of that you can excuse with the quality/depth of the league. A truly top team should be able to juggle both CL and challenging for the league to the latter stages of the season. Maybe they aren’t as good as the CL form makes out? Isn’t that what some people say about Chelsea last season, despite their CL success? Just putting that angle out there, not that I necessarily have much faith in it as I think they are very good side but I think their league form suggests doubts.
In the knockout stages, will be interesting to see how Dortmund balance the team selections between CL and the league, especially if it is still tight between 3rd-11th place in the league. If they prioritize CL over the league, than they certainly are a force but if they still haven’t improved on their league form between now and the knockout stages, than will be interesting to see how Klopp manages this situation.
Also, I wonder if we will see the system Klopp used against Bayern recently, in the CL knockout stages. A somewhat different kind of Dortmund that system triggered, in both good and bad senses.
Re: Ferguson tactics in CL. I hope he goes down the counterattacking route, the most sensible way to safeguard the big soft centre United have.
Some good points Giggsy. It’s worth bearing in mind that the Bundesliga has been more competitive than the EPL over the last decade. In fact, the EPL is (as statistics will prove) the least competitive of the larger European leagues (i.e. the spread of team quality/performance is wider in the EPL than in the Primera, Serie A, Bundesliga, and I think also Ligue 1).
Of course, competitiveness does not equate to the overall level – one league can be of a higher quality than another league while, at the same time, be less competitive.
I have been wondering, though, over the last two seasons, whether the EPL (which was already one of the least competitive of the big leagues) is also dropping away a bit in its quality. Just an observation and, to be fair, it’s dropping from fairly significant heights.
I think Utd may get slaughtered in the Champions League Round of 16, depending on who they are drawn with. They will face one of these teams:
Porto (Group A)
AC Milan (Group C)
Real Madrid (Group D)
Shakhtar Donetsk (Group E)
Valencia (Group F)
Celtic (Group G)
The hardest opponent is definitely Real Madrid, but any of the others could also defeat Manchester United.
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Agreed that Sir Alex has found best formation facing crucial game, but not a new ones.
I think it was when the 2010-2011 season, Sir Alex had used 4-4-1-1 formation with the same approach, the difference due to the players who fill formations.
Defense with Nemanja Vidic and Edwin Van Der Sar Man Utd do look more solid, Ryan Giggs accompany Michael Carrick in midfield (when Paul Scholes starting to decline) and a lone striker Chicharito ahead of Wayne Rooney (2nd part of the season).
So formation used in the game of Chelsea and Man City is nothing really new.
The interesting thing is what will happen when Shinji Kagawa returns, whether Wayne Rooney still playing in position number 10 (Shinji Kagawa become left winger) or even accompany Michael Carrick in midfield?
Sir Alex would have learned from the failure of the Alan Smith’s experiment, Wayne Rooney in midfield position when facing Chelsea would have indicated there are still some things to be done, foul that started the free-kick goal Juan Manuel Mata stark reminder of a midfielder Alan Smith.
But Wayne Rooney does have attributes that are more potent than Alan Smith such as creativity and array of passing, interesting.
Thank you
The problem for Man City is their inability to recover quickly during transitions.
Their strength is their Achilles Heel. By allowing the attacking trident of Aguero, Silva and Nasri to play relatively unrestricted roles behind the central striker, when play breaks down they struggle to regain their defensive positions.
All three goals provided evidence of this.
This is exacerbated when Toure pushes forward from midfield leaving only Gareth Barry, one of the least mobile players in the team, as the sole defensive midfielder. Barry is forced to cover for attacking full backs but is uncomfortable when pulled wide.
My analysis of the game is available via:-
http://www.eplindex.com/23265/manchester-city-2-manchester-united-3-tactical-analysis.html