This season Manchester City have chopped and changed their back line in search of something that works whilst also having to rotate players for fitness. seventeen different combinations so far. The Champions League final back four have played together twice this season!

Not ideal that’s for sure, so let’s dive into the details behind it. 👇

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Most Used Back Four Combinations 23/24

Here is a table of every single combination used in all competitions this season along with their numbers. Four combinations have played four games or more.

Both Rico Lewis and Sergio Gomez have been used to provide rest to full backs (Walker, Gvardiol and Ake) which have made up a lot of the combinations to play 1-2 games.

1. Gvardiol - Akanji - Dias - Walker

Games Played: 8 (W5 D2 L1) GA: 12 GA/GP: 1.5 PPG: 2.13 CS: 2
Newcastle (H), West Ham (A), Notts Forest (H), Chelsea (A), Spurs (H), Aston Villa (A), Leipzig (H&A)

This back four was last seen against Aston Villa (A) in perhaps the worst performance of Manchester City this season, well beaten on the day despite the tight scoreline. Involved in the draws against Chelsea and Spurs, the Newcastle (H) game which City controlled the game from start to finish winning 1-0. Many of our most frustrating results came with this combination and it is no surprise that it hasn’t been seen on the team’s recent winning run.

2. Gvardiol - Ake - Dias - Walker

Games Played: 7 (W5 D1 L1) GA: 8 GA/GP: 1.14 PPG: 2.29 CS: 1
Sheffield United (A), Arsenal (A), Crystal Palace (H), Newcastle (A), Spurs (FA Cup), Brentford (A), Luton Town (A)

Seemingly the go to selection for away games for Guardiola, without anyone inverting into midfield and just focusing on winning duels and being compact as a unit. Conceded less goals than the previous combination despite keeping less clean sheets. Arsenal (A) they were unfortunate to concede a deflect goal, Palace (H) would have been a win if not for the penalty given away by Foden. Newcastle (A) was not a good game defensively in the first half, second half shut them down.

3. Ake - Akanji - Dias - Walker

Games Played: 4 (W1 D2 L1) GA: 5 GA/GP: 1.25 PPG: 1.25 CS: 0
Fulham (H), Wolves (A), Chelsea (H), Liverpool (H)

A very mixed bag of results for this combination, the Liverpool (H) game could well have been a win if not for a sensational strike from TAA. Chelsea (H) City were exposed frequently on the break as they struggled to convert the numerous chances created the other end. Wolves (A) one of the worst results of the season for City. Fulham a big blow out win.

4. Ake - Stones - Akanji - Walker

Games Played: 4 (W4) GA: 4 GA/GP: 1 PPG: 3 CS: 1
Urawa Reds (CWC), Everton (A), Bournemouth (H), Luton Town (FA CUP)

Much more successful combination with big blow outs against Luton Town (FA Cup) and Bournemouth (H), comfortable win against Urawa and an Everton (A) game Foden dragged City through. The combination that Stones has been used the most in, due to his injury, is quite telling for why City have struggled this season.

5. Treble Winning Back Lines?

Here are two line ups that most would consider our best options, only having played five games in total across all competitions. All five games, for the most part, were controlled games which City let the opposition have few chances if any.

Ake - Dias - Stones - Walker

Games Played: 3 (W3) GA:2 CS: 1 | Copenhagen (A), Flumenense (CWC) & Manchester United (H)

Ake - Dias - Stones - Akanji

Games Played: 2 (W2) CS: 2 | Bournemouth (A), Everton (H)

6. Future Back Four?

This line up could be seen a few more times as we head towards the end of the season and Gvardiol returns from injury. The away game against Manchester United is up along side the best performances by City this season.

Gvardiol - Stones - Dias - Walker

Games Played: 2 (W2) CS: 2 | Manchester United (A), Young Boys (H)

7. Other Back Lines Used

(2 games played or less)

• Akanji - Dias - Stones - Walker
  Arsenal (Community Shield), Brentford (H)

• Gvardiol - Ake - Akanji - Walker
  Sevilla (Super Cup), Sheffield United (H)

• Rico Lewis - Ake - Akanji - Walker
  Burnley (A)

• Gomez - Ake - Dias - Walker
  Red Star (A)

• Ake - Gvardiol - Akanji - Rico Lewis
  Newcastle (League Cup)

• Gvardiol - Akanji - Stones - Walker
  Brentford (H)

• Ake - Dias - Akanji - Rico Lewis
  Young Boys (A)

• Gomez - Akanji - Stones - Rico Lewis
  Red Star (A)

• Gomez - Gvardiol - Dias - Akanji
  Huddersfield (FA Cup)

• Gvardiol - Ake - Stones - Rico Lewis
  Burnley (H)

Injuries & Suspensions

Included below is a spreadsheet covering our season, only including players that have had significant injuries or suspensions. If Stones was not injured, clearly we would see a more settle back line and less options used. If Akanji was fit then perhaps we would have seen the treble winning back line return sooner and in more games.

Both Akanji and Stones have shown when returning from injury the sharpness takes a few games racking up ninety minutes before you see their best. Stones first injury return had him on the bench, come on in the second half for ~20 minutes, play 75 minutes, back on the bench before finishing his first ninety minutes. Akanji follows that pattern by being on the bench first game back, playing 57 minutes next game, back to the bench and then completing his first ninety the game after.

Comparisons

Putting our central defenders alongside one another based on their current seasons will show you a few holes right away, that also line up with what you are watching week in week out. Without John Stones our group are lacking on the ball and dominating aerial duels. The two qualities a new central defender will need if City buy this summer. Goes a long way to explaining the struggle of City defending this season and why Guardiola has not landed on a back four when Stones was injured.

Perhaps a factor in why Kyle Walker is included in the team so regularly is his strength in the air. Both him and Gvardiol provide a lot to the team in carrying and progressive passing down the flanks but leave us lacking a significant crossing threat.

Recent Winning Run Combinations

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