Pep’s pressing shape-shifter
“First say, there goes the ball. I will run, I will run for you. That is the secret of everything” elaborated Guardiola when he was having a chat with his fellow coaches about his philosophy following his treble in 2009. Among the attendees Unai Emery and Jose Luis Mendilibar.
Guardiola further explained his ideas and views, but the ever present constant was his obsession with the ball. Currently topping the table after thrashing Chelsea with six goals, City are also top of the mini league between the top six teams. Dropping only five points after their goalless draw earlier in the season against Liverpool, and their loss at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool, their nearest competitor in the mini league, have dropped nine points.
In these head-to-head matches City have shown their technical qualities on the ball. But to show these qualities, they must have the ball first. “There are two ways” Guardiola continued in the conference. “One, the coach convinces the players that we want the ball. Or, the coach says that I would rather the opponent have the ball and attack me instead”. Between the top six teams, all of them want the ball which makes it even harder to maintain the ball. Pressing has taken over as a result. All for the purpose of controlling the precious
City’s different pressing schemes have enabled them to contain the opposition and maintain the control of the ball. Keeping the opposition in a loop of losing the ball then having to defend. So how do they do it ? Below are three different pressing schemes City have used in their games against the top six this season.
1. Manchester City 2–1 Liverpool
In what was the most anticipated game of the season, City hosted Liverpool at the Etihad. Seven points was the gap and a City slip could have eradicated their title hopes. Pep’s pressing scheme was a risky yet effective one.
Sergio Aguero and David Silva pressed both center backs with Bernardo Silva marking Jordan Henderson. On the sides Leroy Sane positioned himself between Gini Wijnaldum and Trent Alexander-Arnold to be able to press Wijnaldum once he dropped to assist in the build up phase for Liverpool. All that while also tracking back to help Laporte. Sterling meanwhile was positioned more inside the right channel to mark James Milner, leaving the task of Andy Robertson to Danilo.
This scheme gave Liverpool two options. Long balls into the space in midfield, something City were prepared for, or diagonal balls into the left side which weren’t pacy enough giving Danilo time to react. The problem for City though was the space behind David Silva. Once the press was broken and Fernandinho was busy marking a Liverpool player, City’s defence couldn’t push forward due to the speed of Liverpool’s attackers. Eventually leaving the space in midfield to be invaded by Liverpool’s players. Wijnaldum managed to break the press and Salah invaded the empty space, resulting in Sadio Mane being through on goal. Mane uncharacteristically hit the post
Liverpool managed to break the press once, but other than that chance the pressing scheme above contained Liverpool’s threat.
2. Manchester City 3–1 Arsenal
Perhaps the main topic in the game against Arsenal was Pep’s usage of Fernandinho as a defender and midfielder in a hybrid 4–3–3/3–2–4–1. The switch proved effective but one thing of note was how City completely neutralized Arsenal’s hopes of any wing play.
They pressed Arsenal in a 4–4–1–1 shape as David Silva joined Aguero in pressing the center backs. Matteo Guendouzi who was the main creator for Arsenal was heavily tracked by Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian also shifted his pressing roles with David Silva depending on the position of the ball and which defender Aguero was going to press. On the flanks, Bernardo Silva and Sterling pressed the full backs to deny any kind of ball progression. As a result Arsenal had to play long balls which Nicolas Otamendi won most of.
Here the pressing scheme complemented City’s diagonal shift of play as it provided them with constant possession of the ball.
3. Manchester City 6–0 Chelsea
The thrashing of Chelsea yesterday was too fast it ended in the first 25 minutes. City scored four out of their first five shots on target. City’s high technical qualities, Chelsea’s poor defending and excellent movement from Aguero to offer a free man in midfield all contributed to City’s goals.
Attacking in a 4–3–3 shape City switched their formation to 4–3–1–2 whenever they were pressing. Aguero pressed one of the center backs as De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan exchanged roles of pressing the other center back and Jorginho. What was interesting was the roles of Bernardo Silva and Sterling. They positioned themselves between Chelsea’s midfielders and full backs, essentially covering both options. Mainly tucking inside to front the Chelsea midfielders to deny that passing option.
Chelsea were forced to pass to the full backs. City’s nearest winger pressed the full back immediately as either Fernandinho, Gundogan, or De Bruyne dropped to cover the Chelsea midfielder who is now free as the City winger pressed Chelsea’s full back. City players shifted markers to finally leave Chelsea with the only solution of passing the ball back to one of their center backs. This frustrated Chelsea and denied them the possession game which Sarri’s ideas revolve around.
City’s ethereal off the ball performance has been the base to their success in high profile games this season. Various pressing schemes, tracking back, and excellent positioning enabled City’s ideas going forward. To implement any of those ideas with the ball, City must firstly have it.
