We’ve focused our attention on this weekend’s game against the league leaders.
This weekend is a fixture of undeniable significance: The Premier League Champions vs the current Premier League leaders.
As they did last season, Pep Guardiola’s side have magnificently started the new season, they’re unbeaten in all six of their games, and they’re averaging more than three goals a game. Additionally, they’ve amassed four clean sheets in the division, having only conceded two goals – we’ve conceded five so far, three of which were against Burnley on the opening day of the new season.
Many of Pep Guardiola’s key players have made excellent starts to the new season, Aguero has scored six goals and provided three assists, and David Silva has already amassed six assists. The dynamism and fluidity of City’s attack have scored five goals against both Crystal Palace and Liverpool while firing six past Watford at Vicarage Road.
Nonetheless, we must acknowledge that this weekend will represent the most difficult challenge they’ve faced this season.
They are suffering from two absentees, both Vincent Kompany and Benjamin Mendy are sidelined through injury.
Formation: 4-3-3
Despite operating with their variation of a back three, it seems that the 4-3-3 formation – that was so fruitful for us in the 2009/10 season – has become City’s permanent strategy.
As previously mentioned, City flaunts a wealth of attacking options – all of whom are exceedingly proficient at their work – we must be wary of the threat that they pose going forward.
In the form of Kyle Walker and former Chelsea target Danilo, City has wing-backs endowed with both defensive and attacking qualities which will look to advance at any given opportunity. Even Fabien Delph, who started at LB in the Champions League demonstrated attacking intent.
While there is an abundance of attacking quality, Fernandinho is the only defensive-orientated midfielder who starts for City. Additionally, we’re all accustomed with John Stones’ questionable decision making, although he has been in inspired form this season.
We must maintain the compact and assured structure that has characterised our unbeaten streak in September against City on Saturday. The key to success is neutralising the threat of their creative players while exploiting our prowess on the counter-attack.
Do you agree? Let us know!
