Tactics Preview: Manchester City Fullbacks & the early goal

Zabaleta sent off

AUTHORStretford-end

Giacinto Facchetti was a one club man. He played 476 times for Internazionale and scored 59 goals. In his eighteen year career he won two European Cups and was regarding as one of the finest attacking fullbacks of all time. Roberto Mancini was born in 1964 and went onto become a fine playmaker with Sampdoria.

The Manchester City manager would not have seen Facchetti in full flow for “La Grande Inter” in the 1960’s, which maybe if he had of done might have made Mancini a little more attack minded with his right and left back on their travels. Mourinho used to do it when his Chelsea side were two or three goals up, however should Mancini be a little more adventitious if his side wants to challenge for honours?


There was a famous quote, and excuse the Scouse mention, by Bill Shankly that highlighted the importance of have more grafters than artists in a side, something that City took to new extremes against Arsenal:

“A football team is like a piano. You need eight men to carry it and three who can play the damn thing.”

Now, i’m not so naive to be shouting “we should be playing 4-2-4 away from home!” and “attack lads, attack”. I realise that in order to challenge you need to be able to pick up points away from home at different grounds – especially against the top sides. However, City were criticised for their ‘catenaccio’ style approach (something United did against Barcelona in 08 and Inter did against the same opposition the season just gone) against Arsenal and picked up a point for their efforts.

Arsenal had 15 shots on goal to Manchester City’s 5 (all of which were off target), whilst the North London club completed 235 more passes. So, looking at these stats and assessing the balance of play, I think even the most biased City fan would concede that Arsenal were the better team on the night, but most importantly were the team that were setup to try and win the match. Many Reds have highlighted the huge sums of money Mancini has spent on players since his arrival at the club. Should a manager, who by all accounts was brought up on the most defensive/cautious brand of football in Europe, that is allowed to spend such sums on world stars, be looking to get a little more out of his side – attack wise?

So lets take a look at the heatmaps of each City fullback from that Arsenal game:

Micah Richards heatmap vs. Arsenal - passing
Micah Richards heatmap vs. Arsenal
Pablo Zabaleta heatmap vs. Arsenal
Pablo Zabaleta heatmap vs. Arsenal

So both full backs made over 50% (with the other 45% just across the halfway line) of their passes in their own half. As you can imagine, both of Arsenal’s fullbacks bombed on providing width as Walcott and Nasri (especially) were allowed to roam in field. The unadventurous fullbacks weren’t too concerned in joining up with the attack, which left Tevez, Yaya Toure, Milner and Jo (for what is was worth) as the four men to try and carve an opening. The key part of this setup was not necessarily to stop Arsenal crossing from the byline, but to stop the through balls in between the full back and centre half.

The following chalkboard highlights the interceptions made by Zabaleta (dark dots), whilst the red arrows highlights the unsuccessful passes by tailisman and chief playmaker Cesc Fabregas – who was clearly trying to utlise the pace of Theo Walcott in behind Zabaleta and Kompany (who was operating on the left of the centre half pairing):


Cesc Fabregas unsuccessul passing vs. Zabaleta interceptions

Nani will provide a different problem for Zabelta than Walcott. Both have blistering pace, that would frighten any left back stupid enough to leave space in behind, however Nani is a more competent dribbler who has equally good balance – left or right – which is why he scores so many goals starting out as a wide player and cutting inside from the right to hit the ball with his left foot. Rafael will provide the width that Sagna did for Arsenal, however De Jong/Barry will have to monitor the space that Nani operates in through the centre.

You may be thinking “Well, its obvious that the away team would take a defensive stance when playing against a top four side”, however take a look at the positions Rafael and Evra took up when United went to Eastlands earlier in the season:

Patrice Evra heatmap against Manchester City
Evra heatmap vs. Manchester City
Rafael heatmap vs. Manchester City
Rafael heatmap vs. Manchester City

So, I think it is clear to see the different approach and mentality from both managers when targeting a big game, both of which finished 0-0, a result that City were looking for in both games? Its not a criticism, however the question should be asked if you can be ‘too cautious’.

We are very quick to point out the failings of a manager who doesn’t take a risk, but yet can’t find enough superlatives for a manager who goes gung ho and ‘just’ loses out 5-4. Mancini will argue that he has a job to do and the proof will be whether or not Manchester City are challenging at the end of the season, with a minimum requirement of Champions League football – something that I think will be achieved.

Doron usually does the match previews, so I will leave the proposed lineup to him – however, I just wanted to touch on the away form of Manchester City. We all know how poorly United have been away from home and how strong we have been at home. However, based upon the twelve games City have played away from home, the ‘away wins when City score 2nd’ column is quite interesting:

City away form data
Table showing Manchester City away form

I don’t want to take all the fun and romance out of football (honestly!) but these are my findings from the table:

  • City have yet to win a game coming from behind against away opposition this season
  • City are yet to draw a game coming from behind
  • City have won half the games in which they score first in
  • City have lost one only one game where they have scored first (Wolves)
  • The two other losses were 1-0 (Sunderland & Aston Villa)

I remember thinking when United played City at Eastlands last season if Mancini had a plan ‘B’ at all. Back then he lined up 4-4-2, with a flat back four (like against Arsenal) and De Jong and Barry screening in front, with the attacking responsibility again put to the two wide men (Bellamy and Johnson) and the two strikers (Adebayor and Tevez). The game would have finished 0-0, a result that I believe Mancini set out from the off to achieve, if it were not for a last minute header from Paul Scholes. I had wondered if United had scored earlier – would City have changed anything to try and win or draw the game?

It sounds obvious, that when you are behind you need to change your approach to try and score a goal (I sound like Andy Townsend now), but Mourinho’s Chelsea were excellent to watch when they trailed 1-0 to a side – Manchester City are yet to win a point having come from behind on their travels. So United will need a good high tempo start and an early goal will force Manchester City into doing something they have failed to do in thirteen away matches so far – fightback.

As mentioned, Doron will do a detailed match preview including lineup – however, I just wanted to touch on the shape and what I feel will be a midfield trio. I would select Scholes as a deep lying playmaker with Fletcher and Anderson either side to provide the runs from midfield. Nani will be on the right hand side and I would play Giggs on the left who tormented Richards in the corresponding fixture last season. 4-3-3 against City isn’t a negative move – even at home – as based upon the stats and the performance against Arsenal, they will only be at Old Trafford for one thing, not to concede. The lone frontman is an issue – considering how well both Rooney and Berbatov have done together in games, but I suspect the manager may opt with the same setup that won the match against Arsenal in December.

I have no doubt that Manchester City and Roberto Mancini will be overjoyed with a 0-0 draw on Saturday and I can’t see them changing their approach from the game at the Emirates. United will need to be on top of their game to break down a stubborn defence, whilst Nani and Giggs will no doubt try to make space for Evra and Rafael to gallop into and of course try to pull out that defensive line that have kept clean sheets against Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United this season.

So what do you think? City aiming for a 0-0 draw? Will the fullbacks be more adventurous at Old Trafford? Does Mancini have a plan ‘B’?

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14 Comments on Tactics Preview: Manchester City Fullbacks & the early goal

  1. personally, i don’t find a problem with Mancini’s defensive set-up. it’s basically winning a point at rivals backyard and denying them the valuable two points. which works really well for them in the long run.
    Mancini opted Zabaleta and Richards over Kolarov and Boateng resp. for their more disciplined cautious approach, which worked well against Arsenal(A), Chelsea (H), and United (H). Boyata played as RB against Arsenal (sent off) and Chelsea at home. City even against mid table teams rarely relies on the width produced by the full backs, and they hardly play with a proper winger in the league. so they don’t need to alter their game plan rather excessively for big games. they keep their structure narrow, tight, hard to break and defend anything through the middle.
    so expect United to exploit the inexperience (though in form) of Micah Richards. Giggs should start imo, to draw Micah to the centre (could be hard) to allow space for Evra to work on, to work as an auxiliary central mid fielder, etc. City’s lack of right wingers allow United to gamble on that flank. with Rooney playing deep as he usually does at home, Ando and Carrick as the midfield two (4-4-1-1), i can’t see City creating a lot of fuss at the middle. tracking Toure, intercepting Silva- Tevez factors make this look the hardest home match on the paper though.
    going for 2-1 United. goals from set pieces.

  2. I bet you wish Utd had an away record as good as City’s this year (5 pts better off and 7 goals better than Utd) If you had our away form you would have the Prem wrapped up by now, looking forward to Saturday hopefully it will be a good game.

  3. Cheers for the comments lads.

    Arun – I too don’t have a problem with how Mancini sets up his team. I was just comparing to attacking philosophy of United and Arsenal in comparison to City. I honestly believe, rightly or wrongly, Mancini will be looking for a 0-0 on Saturday – will be interesting to see if United get an early goal how City respond.

    Carl – sure thing. It wasn’t a comparison of how City fare against United away from home – I just thought I would analyse the games in which City lost and drew. Its not a bad record at all.

  4. An excellent analysis. Intelligent and constructive.
    As a blue I was a bit hesitant about coming on a United site, but all credit to you. It’s so refreshing to read something on the internet these days that isn’t just mindless bias.

    I hope it’s a great game and may the best team win.

  5. Great to see a civilised, constructive and well-thought out analysis of an opposing team. All the more surprising given it’s a derby.
    I agree that Mancini will go for the 0-0 and will almost certainly struggle if Utd went 1-0 early on. I hope I am wrong but can only see a narrow red win (maybe 2-1, City to get a too-late consolation).

  6. sorry, didn’t read past this “if he had of done might have made Mancini a little more attack minded with his right and left back on their travels” not sure if you went on to talk about 3 defensive mids etc, most do.
    I’d just point out away records below, which one would you choose to have ?
    p w d l f a pts
    12 3 8 1 18 16 17
    13 6 4 3 21 12 22

  7. tublu – its not a comparison of away records, however you are more than welcome to make your point United’s failings away from home.

    As nameonthetrophy says, its not a dig at City – but a mere observation of how they lined up against Arsenal and what to expect this Saturday.

  8. Lovely article. Manchester City I believe will make a different approach towards this encounter. I was really sad at the loss of AJ11. But it is now a blessing in disguise with Aleksandar Kolarov being move into the wing position. I am sure he is gonna be a mouth full for Rafael. I am sure his early strikes will push United back and focus on defending.

    Roberto Mancho is a strategist and was cautious in our last encounter because of the brick wall the Rio / Vidic pair brings. But that is not the case. I am sure Tevez will be testing Smalling over and over again and I do not think that lad is ready for the pressure.

    Finally, there is something about the Edin Dzeko 100% record against United. I want to believe Kolarov will pick him with a cross and that will cause a lot of trouble to the psychology of United.

  9. nice article there…..mancini is comming for a goaless draw..but united can stopping from that from happening..defence line is ok we need scholes, fletcher , anderson ,…winger ryan..and nani to disturb their RB and LB then giving evra and rafeal chance get in …but i can see united winning 1 0…..bcos with city attempting to change their tactics on still on the tactics….am sure fergie will have plan A for their plan A and have plan B for their plan B…mancini will be confused at the momment wheather to use same tactics he used before or change it…
    but am pretty sure using same tactics will fail him and trying new tactics will not manifest….Goodluck to united…

  10. As you know I’ve always rated your posts Stretford End but I think this is the best I’ve ever seen you post.

    I think it deserves more thought before I respond, I promise I will but it is an article which deserves thought before responding.

    Nice analysis and stats! Very original!

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