Champions League Preview - Manchester City v PSG
The key tactical moments from MD2 to take in to the clash.
PSG will travel to the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City, in a clash that will define top spot in Group A of the Champions League.
Manchester City currently sit first with 9 points, and PSG seconds on 8 points.
When these two sides met on Matchday Two, it was the Parisians that came away 2-0 victors in a star-studded contest that was free-flowing and and tactically intriguing.
The match provided some insight in to the way PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino wishes to manage the game, and how City manager Pep Guardiola intends to progress the ball against such a talented PSG side.
Here are the key tactical notes from last time they met.
Space on PSG’s left-hand side.
With Lionel Messi occupying the right-hand side of PSG’s attacking three, operating on the same flank as Manchester City’s take-on monster Jack Grealish and his creative and dynamic left-back Joao Cancelo, a lot of the match’s possession occurred on PSG’s right hand flank.
The Grealish and Cancelo combination down the left side worked well for City, offering a lot of overlap in attack, and protection while in defense.
City are overloading PSG’s right side where Messi is playing, opening up space for Kylian Mbappe and Neymar to both occupy and stream down the left. This is also leaving space for Riyad Mahrez – who was available for much of the first half:
PSG also took advantage of the space on the far side, and when in possession would look to drift inboard and switch play:
Messi recognizes the space available on the far side. His options here are to pass to center-half Kimpembe, or further across to Nuno Mendes
PSG passing their way out of City’s press.
Pep Guardiola’s City side are experts in putting the pressure on their opponent in possession, and winning the ball back as soon as possible. This all starts with pressing from the front, with their attacking trio of Grealish, Sterling and Mahrez all closing down their opponent as quickly as they can.
PSG have the caliber of player to work their way through the press, and were instructed to remain calm and play their way out of City’s pressure.
Verratti backs himself to play his way out of the press:
PSG’s passing game was superb on the night. They were able to cut their way through the City press with precision passing, confidently taking on their opponent, and intelligent movement.
PSG wary of City’s desire to cut the ball from the byline
Pep Guardiola’s City have scored countless numbers of goals by dribbling their way through to the byline, and cutting the ball back around the penalty area to onrushing midfielders or strikers. Midfielders Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan are experts at making the perfect runs in to space to get on to these cutbacks.
PSG were cautious of this approach, and overloaded their defensive penalty area to prevent such goals from occurring:
When Mahrez makes his way in to a crossing position, he has the chance to cut the ball to the top of the box or the penalty area.
The PSG players rush back to occupy as much room as possible, with eight players making their way in to their defensive penalty area to minimize the available room for City’s onrushing attackers.