Manchester City 1-1 PEN 7-6 Manchester United Review

Community Shield

MOTM: Oscar Bobb

Just as he did in the preseason matches, Oscar Bobb impressed. Able to glide past his man out wide, cut inside to create and makes sharp runs between defenders as we saw for the goal.

It wasn’t a match filled with great performances, for several players there was as many good moments as there were sloppy ones. Mateo Kovacic would be a runner-up after looking far more settled playing the six role than we saw last season. Perhaps the internal solution Guardiola will use.

Special mention for that Bernardo Silva cameo. The foul, the goal, missing a penalty, and celebrating like he’s won the World Cup at the end. Happy 30th Birthday Bernardo.

Game Stats

• xG: 0.5 - 1.21

• xThreat: 1.09 - 0.77

• Possession: 55.7% - 44.3%

• Field Tilt: 62.1% - 37.9%

• Penalty Box Shots: 6 - 5

• Deep Completions: 7 - 6

• PPDA: 11.7 - 13.3

• High Turnovers: 6 - 0

• 10+ Pass Sequences: 16 - 14

This game was welcomed by City in preparation for the new season and Guardiola is taking a slower approach than anyone else for bringing back their first-team players. That and they all wanted to win the Community Shield, just ask Bernardo Silva!

There was a lot of similarities to the FA Cup final in May but also different executions between the two teams. United has made some transfers and decided to stick with Erik Ten Hag over the summer. Man City has made one signing and promoted some academy players to the first team. Both are missing several first-team players, City more so than United.

City’s struggle to slow down and deal with a well-executed transition saw United create a few chances leading up to their second-half goal. Well taken by Garnacho. The chemistry out-wide between Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb eventually came together with Savinho, to set up Bernardo Silva’s goal.

Bernardo Silva missing and Ederson taking a penalty has become a normality but this time City won a penalty shootout. New season it is.

Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb linking up together on the right side was always how City would score as they eventually did, bright throughout the match. Rico Lewis was able to find space inside the right half-space numerous times on the half-turn. Dribbling into the box to create chances. Oscar Bobb with his dribbling from wide positions, being 1v1 against Martinez and making runs off-the-ball between defenders.

James McAtee was not providing the killer pass or run we were expecting this match but was helping in circulating the ball and creating space. Drifting out to the wide-left position in the buildup, pulling Casemiro around and supporting Doku.

For Nico O’Reilly it’s fair to say it wasn’t his best match but it was his first official full debut for the club, a player far less experienced with playing on these occasions than even Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb. He has a unique profile, combining his physical abilities with his technical quality on the ball. A season training with the first team whilst picking up 500 - 1,000 minutes would be great for him

Savinho made his debut, coming on for Doku 63’, immediately showing his different dribbling style and providing runs into the box. Delivering a few dangerous balls, his lofted cross is one to keep an eye on. He’s a very smooth and elusive dribbler. Able to eat up space after bursting past his man with deceptive movement. as well as looking to combine inside with his teammates. Adds another taker from set pieces.

Opposition Setup & Tactics

For Manchester United, it was a similar setup to what we saw in the FA Cup match, minus some personnel. Using a 4-2-4 of sorts to prevent central progression, this time was less effective given the solutions City had with Jeremy Doku/Oscar Bobb out wide, the movement of James McAtee and Rico Lewis drifting into the right half-space.

United found success off Oscar Bobb jumping up against Evans leaving Martinez free to use in the buildup. Eventually finding Dalot in the space behind Jeremy Doku as well.

Against the top teams Manchester United have a solid game plan with their low to mid-block, using long balls and being an effective transitional unit. We saw short combinations work well in the first half with Diallo and Mount. In the second half, it was the willingness of Garnacho to dribble inside to shoot. That’s how they created the better chances on the day.

We saw in the FA Cup final that City struggled to deal with United in transition, to slow them down and counter-press effectively. They had the same issue with the goal of exposing the space around Gvardiol. Their buildup however needs a lot of work and will get exposed this season.

Manchester City Setup & Tactics

City took control of the match early on with their buildup as United looked to congest central progression. Mount and Fernandes as the two tens. Diallo and Rashford tucking inside. At times Ederson would step into LCB with Dias RCB to help open up passing angles in deep positions and deter United from pressing high but for the most part, City would be building in their 3-2 shape. Ederson wasn’t able to take advantage with his passes out from the back.

James McAtee drifted out wide on the left side whilst Doku pushed Dalot further back. Rico Lewis was able to come high and wide on the right side, Bobb drifting inside or finding space inside himself to receive on the half-turn.

Nico O’Reilly swapped between different lines, dragging Mainoo around, to receive the ball but was let down by either a poor touch or not releasing the ball quickly enough. Mateo Kovacic acting as the single pivot.

City had control of the ball and worked some chances in attack but they weren’t effective once inside the box. The only real decisive move came with the goal at the end of the match.

That move involved Savinho coming over to the right side to hug the touchline, getting the ball from Rico Lewis, and finding Oscar Bobb running into the box. Using his first touch to go around the defender and stand up the cross for Bernardo Silva.

Oscar Bobb was very efficient with his time on the ball, providing several dangerous dribbles out wide and carries in the box. Eventually leading to his pass for the goal by Bernardo Silva.

Jeremy Doku had several dangerous moves in the first half that couldn’t quite find the target afterward. Sixty minutes in the legs and depending on the extent of Grealish’s injury, he’ll be in contention to start against Chelsea.

We are also early in the period of Guardiola adapting to teams blocking central access through the 4-2-4 setup OOP. Like Madrid, Arsenal and United all used against City last season. Closing off access to the two pivots and the passing lane to the two number 10s in the pockets. Forcing City to find better solutions out wide. One thing tactically to watch throughout the season.

Moving Forward

It was quite clear from the late substitutions of first-team players that Guardiola is making sure their return is slow. Without Grealish picking up his injury, Jeremy Doku might have only played thirty minutes today. De Bruyne coming on late in the second half. Bernardo the same. We will be light for the first Premier League game and it will take three more before you see a full first team up to pace.

That’s different to Arsenal and the long-term implications we’ll only know about once the season finishes. Slow introduction from City or an intense early approach from Arsenal. We’ll see.

Knowing that for the wide positions we have Doku, Grealish, Savinho and Bobb. For attacking midfield we have Foden, McAtee, De Bruyne. City should be able to keep a number of our best players fresh throughout the season compared to Arsenal.

Ederson stepped up in the penalty shootout with his save and scoring one himself. Not a surprise to the team who have since admitted he is the best in the squad! After the game confirming that he’s spoken to Pep Guardiola and is here to stay. Focused on the season ahead. To keep this goalkeeping due together is great news.

Jack Grealish missed out on the match due to a small injury he picked up in training, hopefully, it’s only a small issue and he returns to the team next weekend.

Next up for Manchester City is the Premier League opener against Chelsea on August 18th, 16:30 (GMT).

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