Why did Swansea fall agonisingly short in FA Cup high-press battle?

Swansea City almost delivered an incredible FA Cup shock on Saturday evening as they got themselves into a 2-0 half-time lead over quadruple hopefuls Manchester City at the Liberty Stadium. Pep Guardiola was left stunned when Graham Potters side cut through Manchester Citys high press as Bersant Celina finished off a superb attacking move to double the hosts advantage after 29 minutes following Grimes opener from the penalty spot.

With 21 minutes of normal time remaining, the visitors got a goal back through Bernardo Silva. The controversy and discussions concerning the absence of VAR then occurred nine minutes later as Raheem Sterling won a penalty when it looked like Cameron Carter-Vickers got a crucial touch on the ball to see it roll out of play. Aguero also looked like he was standing in an offside position as he glanced a header in past Kristoffer Nordfeldt.

Despite the late controversy surrounding the goals in Manchester Citys comeback, it was a thrilling FA Cup tie played between two sides who played on the front foot and looked to cut through the oppositions high press.

Lineups

Swansea City manager Graham Potter made one change to the side that lost 3-0 at West Brom in midweek. Kyle Naughtons injury from that game meant that Potter surprisingly went for Cameron Carter-Vickers at left back despite the left-footed Grimes playing there on numerous occasions this season.

He slotted in alongside former Ajax defender Mike van der Hoorn at centre-back. It was a bold decision from Potter and its something well look into in more detail in this tactical analysis.

Daniel James provided an attacking outlet in a wide left position with Wayne Routledge playing through the middle and Bersant Celina dropping in between the lines to link up the play.

Pep Guardiola looked to use the width during the game with Mahrez and Sane stretching Swansea as full-backs Kyle Walker and Fabian Delph offered inside support in attacking build-ups.

The battle of the high press and cutting through it

Swansea City were brave in their approach to the game as they, like Manchester City, adopted a high press, committing four or five players forward to add pressure on the opposition back line.