Pep Guardiola is continuously evolving his Manchester City side. City’s treble winning side featured another tactical shift from the genius manager. It’s a sign of all perennial winners like Pep that they constantly evolve to stay ahead.
Midway through last season Guardiola changed his tactics. He wanted more control of games and to fully utilize the threat of Erling Haaland.
City shifted away from traditional full backs and preferred to line up with four center backs in defense.
One of the center backs was required to shift into central midfield when City was in possession. This move gave Manchester City a stronger look in central midfield with the support in midfield for Rodri.
It also allowed Manchester City to cater for a traditional number 9 in Haaland, rather than the false 9 of seasons past.
John Stones took his game to another level in Guardiola’s new look Manchester City. Stones went from being a center back who was great on the ball, to a center back who could slot into midfield when City had possession.
The Stones evolution as a player gave Manchester City another weapon in central midfield. It allowed City’s attacking players to thrive whilst being solid at the back.
In defense, the four center backs gave Manchester City a brick wall to prevent the opposition from counter attacking when City lost possession.
Pep Guardiola’s new tactics passed the ultimate test. It gave City the defensive platform to get past Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Inter Milan to clinch the UEFA Champions League.
Heading into next season Guardiola will no doubt look further to develop the tactics that carried Manchester City to treble glory to keep ahead of the chasing pack.
Where Pep Guardiola takes Manchester City next tactically will be something to watch for next season.
