FAWSL 2019/20: Manchester City Women vs Chelsea Women – tactical analysis

For most FAWSL fans, this weekend’s matchup between Manchester City Women and visiting Chelsea marks not just a match that would more than likely decide the league winner but brings us debatably the most exciting match of the season. City currently sit one point ahead of Chelsea Women in the table, but Chelsea lie in wait, ready to pounce,  with a game in hand.

Both teams have run absolutely rampant in the league averaging almost three goals a game, while both teams have also given up less than a goal a game. Chelsea have recently added world-class striker Sam Kerr to the ranks of an already powerful attacking arsenal. Manchester City Women have recently lost their manager Nick Cushing to a coaching role with New York City F.C. in the MLS.

After analysis, we see that this game did not disappoint in bringing a highly entertaining contest. Would Manchester City feel a bump in the form with newly arrived manager Alan Mahon taking the reins? Would Chelsea’s new striking partnership between Beth England and Kerr be able to tally goals against the league-leading City defence? This tactical analysis will look at the tactics of both the managers and the nuances of the game.

Lineups

Chelsea: out of possession

To those who have followed Chelsea through the current FAWSL campaign, it will be no shock that Emma Hayes employed a high press when out of possession. The visitors sought to create maximum pressure on the Manchester City ball carrier while City were building out of the back.

This was executed through a player to player marking scheme that attempted to eliminate all nearby passing options. While passing options were being restricted the nearest Chelsea player to the ball carrier was tasked with pressuring and directly gaining possession of the ball.