Manchester City Vs Brighton [1–1] – Premier League 2025/2026: Why Pep Guardiola Tactics Dominated But Failed To Win – Tactical Analysis

Manchester City were coming off back-to-back draws and desperate for three points to keep pace with Arsenal at the top of the table.

Brighton had been on their own bad run coming into the match.

Their win over Burnley this weekend was their first win in seven matches, as they were looking to find a way to get back into the top half of the table.

It’s been a difficult season in terms of results for Fabian Hürzeler away from home because the Seagulls only had one win in their last eight matches coming into Wednesday.

Manchester City, on the other hand, has been dominant at the Etihad this season with an 8-2-1 Premier League record and a +11.5 expected goal differential.

Brighton came from behind in the previous meeting between these two in 2025/2026 to beat Manchester City 2-1, and Wednesday proved that they continue to be one of Manchester City’s most difficult opponents.

Last season, they beat Manchester City on the south coast and drew with them at the Etihad.

Earlier this season, they came from behind to beat Manchester City once again 2-1 on the south coast.

In this tactical analysis, we will take a look at Manchester Citys build-up tactics, how Brighton took advantage of Manchester City’s high line, and the effectiveness of City’s high press.

Manchester City Vs Brighton Lineups & Formations

For the second straight match, Pep Guardiola lined Manchester City up in a 4-1-4-1 formation.

Gianluigi Donnarumma started in net behind Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne, who was making his first career start, as the centre-back pairing.

Nathan Aké started at left-back, while Matheus Nunes lined up at right-back.

Nicolás González started as the lone defensive midfielder, with Tijjani Reijnders and Phil Foden ahead of him in central midfield.

Jeremy Doku returned from injury to start at left midfield, while Bernardo Silva started in his usual spot at right midfield.

Erling Haaland occupied his usual spot up top at striker.

Pep Guardiola made four substitutions in the match.

In the 64th minute, Rodri came on for Nicolás González.

In the 73rd minute, Guardiola made a triple substitution, bringing Rayan Cherki for Phil Foden, Rico Lewis for Matheus Nunes, and Nico O’Reilly for Nathan Aké.

Fabian Hurzeler lined Brighton up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Bart Verbruggen occupied his usual spot in goal behind Jan Paul van Hecke and Lewis Dunk as the centre-back pairing.

Maxim De Cuyper started at left-back, while Jack Hinshelwood started at right-back.

Pascal Groß got his first start back at the club alongside Yasin Ayari in defensive midfield.

Diego Gómez started as the number 10 with Kaoru Mitoma at left wing and Ferdi Kadioglu at right wing.

Georginio Rutter got his first start of the season up top as the main striker.

Fabian Hurzeler made four substitutions in the match.

In the 77th minute, Danny Welbeck came on for Georginio Rutter, and Brajan Gruda came on for Diego Gómez.

In the 83rd minute, Tom Watson came on for Kaoru Mitoma, and James Milner came on for Yasin Ayari.

Manchester City Build-Up Tactics

Pep did something a little different with his build-up in this match.

When Manchester City played Chelsea over the weekend, he switched them to a 3-1-6 using Rodri as the single pivot.

He