"City focused much of their play down the left-hand side in the first half. Blues boss Pep Guardiola aimed to exploit weaknesses in United's defensive approach, with an eye on their back five, two central midfielders and the aggressive manner in which the wider centre-backs are asked to step out to press. The hosts' left-back - Nico O'Reilly - took a wider position on the touchline, aiming to draw United right wing-back Noussair Mazraoui towards him."
"Jeremy Doku - City's left winger - would ordinarily have been marked by Mazraoui, but as O'Reilly took the wide position, Doku was more central. That gave Mazraoui the difficult task of knowing who to pick up. His decision was to ignore Doku and instead defend the wide spaces - stepping up to press O'Reilly when the ball went to him. Doku's inside position ensured City had an overload around United's midfield."
Manchester City concentrated attacks down the left to exploit gaps in Manchester United's back five and midfield pairing. Nico O'Reilly occupied a wide touchline position to draw United right wing-back Noussair Mazraoui outwards, while Jeremy Doku moved inside to create central overloads. Rodri, Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders combined with Doku to form a box around United's midfield, forcing difficult defensive choices. Leny Yoro was asked to push up on Doku, placing a natural centre-back into wide, front-footed defending roles and altering the numerical balance in midfield.
Read at www.bbc.com
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