Manchester City 2-1 Brentford Review

Premier League GW4

Now this was the real sort of test we wanted to see put on Manchester City. For as well as they’ve done in the opening three games, we didn’t know how well they can handle adversity just yet. Thomas Frank and his team brought that in the first half, certainly on top for the first 20 minutes, and some impressive tactics. City did open the door with their rotation and poor decisions from the start but Brentford will come away from this match with a lot of credit. Let’s get into it…

MOTM: Erling Haaland

It’s getting to the point where you struggle to find enough words to describe how well Haaland is doing. His conversion rate (G/Shots, 45%) is the highest in the Premier League so far, only players with 3 or fewer shots have a higher rate than him. He’s taken 20. It gets even more impressive when you just included shots on target, Haaland has 14 of those to his 9 goals. Now for the best stat of them all, there are only 6 teams in Europe’s top five leagues that have scored more, as a team, than Erling Haaland. None of those are Premier League teams!

Other standout performances include: Ederson

Notable Stats:

• Yoane Wissa’s goal after 22 seconds is the fastest ever scored in the Premier League against the reigning champions.

• Erling Haaland has scored nine goals across Manchester City’s first four league games this season - the most of any player in the opening four matchdays of a Premier League season.

• Ederson’s assist for Manchester City’s second goal today was the fourth goal he assisted in his Premier League career, with only Paul Robinson providing more among goalkeepers in the competition’s history (5).

Game Stats:

Manchester City - Brentford

• xG: 1.63 - 0.91

• xThreat: 1.74 - 1.46

• Possession: 54.1% - 45.9%

• Field Tilt: 81.5% - 18.5%

• Penalty Box Shots: 10 - 6

• Deep Entries: 29 - 11

• Buildup Completion: 88.4% — 85.5%

• PPDA: 14.6 - 18.5

• High Turnovers: 6 - 2

• 10+ Pass Sequences: 25 - 16

To stay up to date with all the player’s minutes this season along with some other stats, check out the live Google sheet linked below. 👇

Savinho and Grealish were important for City progressing the ball down the flank. The former struggled to find himself ever 1v1 as Brentford doubled up on him and Grealish didn’t fully get going in the final third until he had Gvardiol providing him runs. Should have done better with his chance to give Gundogan a tap-in. The main takeaway is that Grealish got some rhythm and Savinho was back on the pitch after his injury.

Mateo Kovacic wasn’t able to take control of the midfield out of possession but I’m not sure who would have done that given the ground he was left to cover. I wouldn’t be too concerned about his performance, great contribution in the buildup to the first goal, and a good rotation option for Rodri as he’s proven over 5 matches now. Gundogan got his first start and benefited from it a lot once the second half came around. Helped to solve problems in the buildup during the first half, making some excellent runs into the box. Always dovetails well with Haaland.

Manuel Akanji was mostly excellent on the ball for City and struggled to win aerial duels but the issues were more about the team than individuals. Kyle Walker needed the minutes and by the time the second half came around, he looked better for it. Had a tough task 2v1 in the first half against Lewis-Potter and Collins. Whilst I think he’s the rotation option now rather than a starter, he improved with the minutes in his legs. John Stones struggled more and there was not a huge improvement in the second half, hopefully, we’ll see that in the next match, when he starts. There shouldn’t be any questions about our starting CB pair right now, it’s Akanji and Dias.

Rico Lewis had a quiet first half on the ball and largely exposed off the ball as we will get into later. Won all his duels, and didn’t misplace a pass but had to come off at half-time since Walker needed minutes at RB, and a player better suited to deal with the threat of Mbeumo came on.

Ederson seems to have gone under the radar by a few but this was his best game for City this season. Key to their problem-solving in the first half and providing the assist for Haaland’s second goal. Reaction saves from corners, running out to deny Wissa and dismantling the Brentford press with his distribution. More of the same in the future matches and I’d like to see him do better claiming crosses from corners.

Rodri and Gvardiol came on (46’) to be part of why City dominated the second half. How seamless Gvardiol fits into the team after one season is quite impressive. Good to see Rodri pick up minutes, likely starting against Inter Milan and then Arsenal next weekend.

Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva came on for some minutes to help see out the result in the final ten minutes. Matheus Nunes came on for Savinho who looked uncomfortable.

Brentford Setup

Brentford started the match well against City, causing a lot of issues with their pressing. They were bold enough to leave Haaland 1v1 against Pinnock, which we’ll get to later on, so they could be much more aggressive against the City backline.

In the opening goal, they scored mixed winning aerial duels, second balls, and some quick short passes. Started with a long kick from Flekken, which they used a lot during the match, where Grealish lost the aerial duel. It falls to Gundogan who isn't able to control it before losing the ball. Passing into Mbeumo, Akanji was not tight enough to do anything about it. Some quick passing between Brentford and a pass-out to Ajer. He crosses to the back post, but Rico Lewis is not tight enough to stop it. Lewis-Potter is making the run to the back post. Walker does spot him but is too slow to get out for the cross. Lewis-Potter was able to put it back across goal. Stones tries to clear it instead of letting Ederson claim it. A poor clearance that fell to Wissa completely free in the 6-yard box heads it in. Mbeumo was also wide open. That's five players directly involved with poor decisions leading up to the goal.

They did not want to try to win the ball off Ederson but instead made sure his only options were to pass into the double pivot, which Brentford was ready to press, or be comfortable in their back line to win any aerial duels if City went long.

Here is a better look at that on the pitch from above.

City played their part in this though, with De Bruyne pushing as high as Haaland, Lewis being outnumbered on the left side as Damsgaard comes across and Kovacic/Gundogan left with too much space to cover. Brentford also had a 2v1 against Walker to use as Savinho was unable to cover that much distance, getting sucked in. Disjointed pressing from City and very aggressive to go 4-4-2. It didn’t pay off and a change was needed.

When it worked for BRentford they were able to find Collins free on their right side as Savinho was pulled in towards Pinnock. Walker was unable to press as he’s occupied with Lewis-Potter. On the left side, Brentford would draw City in, and Damsgaard would come across to support when they had City sucked in deeper they would go long into the space behind Rico Lewis.

Included below is this great graphic from Markstatsbot to highlight particularly the progressive passes from the goalkeepers in this match. Flekken always has great matches against City as a shot-stopper but it was his distribution that was a problem in this match. He completed 18 out of 26 long passes. City used their wingers to progress the ball a lot down the flank with Savinho (10 PrgC) and Grealish (7 PrgC).

It’s the first 30 minutes or so from Brentford that they’ll want to take forward into future matches against City and the top six. On another day they find the second goal and it becomes a much tougher match for City to win, let alone any other top-six side.

Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Brentford post-match and it’s always great when you get to hear this level of detail from him. Telling you exactly what they do so well.

Manchester City Setup

City did eventually adjust to what Brentford was doing. It was not pretty at all and it took them time but they did get there. You’ll see from the passing maps below that Brentford wanted to build out in the first half to their wide areas and into their midfielders. De Bruyne being caught alongside Haaland too many times in the press left huge spaces for Kovacic and Gundogan to try cover in midfield, that’s how Brentford played through City. In the wide areas, they were able to find 2v1s. Lewis-Potter and Collins often have a 2v1 against Walker on their left side and the right side, they can play it short between VDB, Ajer, Norgaard, and Damsgaard. Mbeumo then looked to run behind.

City on the other hand stopped fairly quickly playing it short to split central defenders and instead went over the first line of Brentford’s press. Gundogan would drop deep to collect but receive as he is moving rather than stay still next to Kovacic.

The first goal was fortunate by City with the deflection but everything else behind it was not. Kovacic won the loose ball, switched it out to Grealish, and for the first time in the match Savinho/Walker had a brief 2v1 which meant Lewis-Potter could not challenge either. Walker cuts it cross to De Bruyne who finds Haaland in the box, he turns and shoots to make it 1-1.

The risk you take with the high press against this Manchester City side is twofold. You have a goalkeeper smart enough and capable of playing long when needed. You leave Erling Haaland 1v1 at the back with Pinnock. Trusting him to deal with it but knowing that just one mistake is a goal. There were more than enough warning signs leading up to the goal.

Here we see the implications of that risk, leaving Haaland 1v1 at the back. He only needs one. Ederson recognizes the run and puts the ball right into his path. Haaland does the rest.

This was a clever bit of play from Haaland, after making his run and realising the time he has before the ball lands. Stops and bumps into Pinnock which pins him back as the ball lands at Haaland’s feet.

Much has been made of how Erling Haaland is finishing better this season, well whenever he’s been in behind the opposition's back line he has been taking his time and being conservative with his touches. Touch to bring it down, another one to get it out from his feet, taking the keeper wider, and the last one to shoot.

City made their adjustment in the buildup during the first half which stopped Brentford winning the ball high up the pitch and threatened Brentford a lot through Ederson. In the second half, they tightened up the press and made a couple of changes. Back to the 4-1-4-1 out-of-possession setup which better protected the middle and reduced distances for players to cover.

Gvardiol came on for Lewis and was able to cover the distance better on the left. Pushing up to press on Ajer as well as tucking into watching Damsgaard. Rodri much better than Kovacic for winning second balls, helped to settle down the side in the buildup along with Gundogan. Both drop into the back line at times.

Moving Forward

Above is the dashboard to remind you of the current Premier League table after four matches. Title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal have already dropped points but it’s too early to read into that. Next up is Inter Milan (H) and Arsenal (H).

Important to strike the balance between Brentford playing very well in the first half but also recognising the adjustments from City. Impressive how quickly they were able to handle the storm and solve the problems. Guardiola making the final tweaks at half-time that allowed City to dominate the match in the second half.

Players were able to be rested for the two tough fixtures that await. No doubt in my mind that Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, and Gvardiol all start midweek. No minutes for Phil Foden so you’d think he’s going to get a good amount against Inter Milan on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola said after the match that Savinho came off with what looked to be a cramp. More positive news than it looked when he came off the pitch. Hopefully, that’s him still available for the Arsenal match next weekend.

Another important point from Guardiola is the value behind these types of games. We mentioned from the start that Brentford did well and started on top pushing City. Only in those games can you find out how well they can suffer and deal with the adversity. Make adjustments and win the games. Of course, the team was fortunate at times but they came through the other side to win.

Positive quotes from Jack Grealish after the match, making a few consecutive starts now and feeling better. City must have all their wingers fit and ready to perform when they start or come off the bench.

Last quote from Guardiola and it’s fair to end on this sentiment after the performance Brentford put in. Thomas Frank will be an excellent manager for a top club, where that remains to be seen but don’t be surprised to see it happen in the summer. Not only can he coach an intelligent press but he can get his team to build out from the back and adjust to the set of players he has very well. Built a strong relationship with the group of players and can handle all the media.

Next up for Manchester City is their first Champions League match of the new format, welcoming last season’s Serie A Champions Inter Milan, on 18th September. A preview for the match will be released tomorrow.

LNobbins has put together an excellent video breaking down the Brentford press, City press, and problems that both sides faced.

Quite an even split among those who voted in the poll below, what did you think was the main problem for City against Brentford?

If you could only sign one, which position would you pick?

LAST WORD👋

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