It’s impossible to stop Manchester City’s build-up play…so don’t – tactical analysis

This article can make one promise.

Read this tactical analysis and youll understand how to avoid getting beaten by Manchester Citys build-out.

Additionally, after hours of studying the Manchester City build-out, we also posit that there is no stopping Guardiolas side as they play out of the back.

On the surface, those may seem like contradicting statements. Dont worry, this analysis will clear up any confusion.

Ultimately, trying to stop Manchester Citys build-out is a fools errand. Were asking the wrong question. Knowing what Manchester City hopes to achieve through the build-out and devising how teams can wrestle the match initiative from them are the topics well address.

In this tactical analysis, we will look at some of the problems presented by Manchester Citys build-out, offer some ideas on how to cope with Ederson and his 3-2 network at the back and finish with the box midfield. Lets start by laying out the problem.

The problem

If you havent read Ahmed El-Dalys scout report in the May 2023 magazine, its well worth the read. His detailed analysis pinpoints the intricacies of the Manchester City build-out with the 3-2 setup at the back. The last section of his article lays out how he would counter Citys build-up. Its an excellent exercise in tactical theory with concrete measures for stopping Guardiola and his men.

To distinguish between the two pieces, we used a similar approach in this article to the tactical analysis of how to stop Roberto De Zerbis Brighton Hove and Albion. At least, that was the intention.

In that team analysis, we started with data. The idea was to identify teams that had success stopping Manchester Citys build-out. Particularly, we were looking for an above-average volume in high recoveries for the opponent and low losses for City. The distinction between the two metrics is that City may lose the ball by putting it out of bounds, but there isnt a recovery awarded to the opponent. Even if the opponent doesnt recover the ball, we at least want to identify the metrics in which City has been more prone to mistakes in their defensive third.

Turns out, there arent many of those games.

Their build-up has confounded the EPL. In fact, in the 2022/23 campaign, theres only one club to keep City below an xG of 1.25, force more than 15 low losses and record more than 10 high recoveries. That club is Real Madrid. If success leaves clues, there arent many to be found. City has cleaned the crime scene exceedingly well.

Lets set the problem. Again, once you finish reading this article, read Ahmeds magazine piece. Since he has already laid out the specifics of their build-out, we’ll stick to the basic principles here.

The first problem Guardiola creates for his opponents is the use of Ederson as a second centre-back. With his technical quality and positional depth, hes simply not going to turn the ball over. The Brazilian is as safe at the back as they come. Shifting Rúben Dias into the halfspaces allows Ederson to give tactical balance playing off of the location of the ball and his relation to Dias. The cue for him to step higher is John Stones moving into midfield to form a double pivot with Rodri.

Stones is the one who initiates the change in attacking shape, who remains deeper if theres a threat of a loss of possession and pushes higher as that threat diminishes. If theres no threat whatsoever, hell push into the midfield from the onset to give City a 3-4-3 with a box midfield. If Dias needs help centrally, either Stones or Rodri can drop in line with the Portuguese.

When Stones is forced to start deeper, look for Rodri to move into a support position to spring Stones into midfield. Notice how City creates space for Stones to make his move. KDB and İlkay Gündoğan push high up the pitch, virtually in line with Haaland, creating a large gap in the opposition lines, our second problem. Thats the space they want to bring Stones into.