ASK any football fan to describe Pep Guardiola's City and the same words and phrases will likely come up: possession, intricate passing, positional play, attractive, goals, and maybe even the dreaded 'tikitaka' The current incarnation of Pep's Blue, which just won a fourth Premier League title in five years, is arguably the one closest aligned to Guardiola's footballing principles.
City are dominating possession more than ever before, pinning opponents in their own half by employing an extremely high defensive line.
This season City played with a fluid front-three, with the two number eights joining them to form a front five whenever they attacked.
There was less speed and fewer counter-attacks than in 2017/18 and 2018/19, but more patience and domination.
Guardiola often deployed a false nine instead of a striker and had his full-backs tuck in to create a 2-3-5 formation when in possession.
These are not new ploys for Guardiola, but his City team had never before done them all at once.
However, there was a trait that the Blues developed over the course of the season seldom associated with Guardiola teams.
This story is from the June 12, 2022 edition of MEN on Sunday.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 12, 2022 edition of MEN on Sunday.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Sharks suffer trying times after slipping to heavy Bath defeat
SALE Sharks conceded six tries as Bath powered their way to 40-13 Gallagher Premiership win.
Red flags are flying over Josh signing
RASMUS Hojlund had a gentle time away with Denmark, playing 71 minutes across their Nations League games.
Madrid stars are the ones that got away
UNITED'S midfield overhaul is into its latest inception with the summer arrival of Manuel Ugarte and the breakthrough of Kobbie Mainoo.
Historic pub's new look after refurbishment
A HISTORIC pub with ties to a famous Manchester brewer has undergone a major renovation.
'All we see is shut down shops...it feels dead'
Town's traders and shoppers have their say ahead of regeneration plan
Bumpyroad ahead in electric car drive
TRAINS and buses may get more column inches, but the North of England is a region that remains dependent on cars to get around.
Ketamine explosion has echoes of heroin epidemic
Experts call for greater awareness of risks after huge surge in use of drug
Influencer Kitty up for top award
Teenager who woke up blind sheds light on her life with TikTok videos
£18,000 raised in memory of paddleboarder
A FUNDRAISER in memory of a personal trainer who tragically died after getting into trouble while paddleboarding at Dovestone Reservoir has raised nearly £20,000.
Chopshop gang even posed as airport valets
Chief reporter Neal Keeling on the brazen crimes of car thieves whose arrogance led to their downfall