Premier League 2020/21: Leeds United vs Manchester City – tactical analysis

Marcelo Bielsa vs Pep Guardiola. The master vs the student. Football fanatics waited for seven long years for another Bielsa vs Pep faceoff. The two philosophers of the game who has a lot of influence in how the modern football is viewed gave the fans an exhilarating experience on Saturday, a game of football that would be remembered for decades to come.

Manchester City started the game on a strong note giving the master a taste of his own medicine. However, in the second half, the master bounced back to give the mister plenty to think.

In this tactical analysis, we will discuss the tactics of both the managers and the intricacies of the game. This analysis will also discuss in detail the changes Bielsa made in the second half to bring Leeds United back into the game.

Line-up

Marcelo Bielsa had to make a forced change in the form of Jack Harrison who was ineligible to face his parent club. Ezgjan Alioski replaced him in the left-wing. Patrick Bamford, Mateusz Klich, Tyler Roberts, and Hélder Costa formed the front five in a 4-1-4-1 line-up. Kalvin Phillips acted as the lone pivot in front of Stuart Dallas, Liam Cooper, Robin Koch, and Luke Ayling. Illan Meslier started in between the sticks.

Pep Guardiola started with his preferred 4-3-3 formation but made few changes from the previous Premier League fixture against Leicester City. Fernandinho started from the bench and he was replaced by Ferran Torres, who started as the right-winger. He was accompanied by Riyad Mahrez who played as a false 9 and Raheem Sterling in the left-wing. The midfielder consisted of Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, and Rodri. Ederson was protected by Benjamin Mendy, Aymeric Laporte, Rúben Dias, and Kyle Walker in the defence.

Man City’s build-up against Leeds’ press

Leeds pressed Manchester City in two ways. One, man-marking along with pendulum press of the pivot and another, a 4-2-3-1 man-marking.