Pep Guardiola Tactics At Manchester City 2025/2026: New Attacking Structure With Pepijn Lijnders Decoded – Tactical Analysis

We began this series intending to dissect Manchester Citys in-possession approach for 2025/2026.

First, we explored the build-up, analysing the ideas of Pep Guardiola and his new assistant Pep Lijnders, particularly against man-marking high-pressing schemes, which is a common trend these days.

Then, we examined their progression phase and the objectives they pursue against different defensive structures.

In these two phases, we went into significant detail, making it a journey quite similar to Man Citys path toward the final third.

This represents Pep Guardiolas most favourable phase.

Here, his team operates close to the opposition goal, maximising goalscoring opportunities.

At the same time, this phase is further from his own goal, thus reducing the likelihood of conceding, which adds a layer of safety.

Now, with Pep Lijnders alongside Guardiola, we explore Man Citys in-possession tactics in the final third using examples from their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign against Wydad, Juventus, and Al-Hilal.

Manchester City Final Third Tactics Vs Wydad

In this match against Wydad AC, Manchester City lined up with Ederson in goal.

Vitor Reis and Nathan Aké operated as the centre-backs, flanked by Rico Lewis on the right and Nico OReilly on the left as full-backs.