Champions League 2021/22: How City stopped Neymar, Mbappe and Messi to comeback against PSG – tactical analysis

Manchester City secured the first spot in Group A of the Champions League after a 2-1 win over PSG at home. Pep Guardiola’s side grabbed the three points coming back from losing position, as the Parisians opened the score in the 50^th minute.

Although in a better position in the first half, City didn’t manage to convert their chances into goals, which gave their opponents the opportunity to push harder at the beginning of the second half and score. That was about the only quality opportunity that Mauricio Pochettino’s players managed to create until the end of the game.

City were the more balanced team and managed to limit PSG’s attacking movement by having more of the ball and pressing them high as soon as they lost it. Combined with the excellent movement of their attacking players, they managed to challenge the opposing keeper multiple times and bounced back with two goals in 15 minutes.

PSG looked dull in attack, despite the presence of Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi. They were lacking creativity and failed to break through City’s press and well-structured defence.

This tactical analysis examines the tactics of both managers and explains how Manchester City achieved the important victory.

Line-ups and formations

Guardiola opted for his favoured 4-3-3 with Ederson on the goal and a backline of João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, John Stones and Kyle Walker who were all very highly positioned throughout the game, being key in possession and supporting the attacking actions. The former Juventus defender and Walker constantly challenged PSG on the flanks and were the most active passers who supplied the attackers with quality balls.

In midfield, Pep relied on Oleksandr Zinchenko, Rodri and İlkay Gündoğan where the latter were retaining possession and orchestrating the play. In attack, Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez were valuable and created many chances through their movement and accurate actions on the ball.

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