Looking at the tactics of open play in #MCILEI Leicester had problems defending 4-2-4 in the 1st half against City's positional attack. There were a lot of free space both between the lines in the inside channels and the outside channels
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However, in the 2nd half, they switched to a 5-4-1 which gave them much more defensive stability and superiority in the buildup although allowing City more possession. The idea was to bait City into playing through them while keeping the spaces tight.
In fact this 5-4-1 wasn't new to Leicester. They utilised this tactical switch last September in the win over City. By keeping the two lines of defence very compact. They sort of set up a jail for the players between the lines and controlling the wide channels simultaneously.
Take a look at this goal they scored by baiting Zinchenko to play Gundogan to play in the pocket between the lines in tight space
They then immediately create a 4v2 overload and force a turnover to transition into attack and score capitalising on the big spaces City had to defend
These rapid counter attacks from deep defensive blocks were very similar to how Vardy scored against City last season
The 5-4-1 also gave Leicester width and depth to build up with both numerical and positional superiorities.
Reference to pitch coordinates here:
Reference to pitch coordinates here:
Build out of the 3 at the back making it 3v2 in the deep lanes and immediately look to play to players like Maddison holding positional superiority in the lanes higher up while the wingbacks hold width. They score the first goal in this way.
Once again, this build up strategy was very familiar to how they played in the 2-5 win last Sept against City. One could argue that the 5-4-1 set up functioned better against Guardiola for Brendan Rodgers in this fixture as well but he left it to the 2nd half to switch tactics
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