How Manchester City Can Inspire Your Team

It has been interesting to analyse the way Manchester City have dominated their opponents in the past couple of weeks and there are things to take away and use with my youth teams. The width that City provide in build-up play means that the opponent must work harder to cover ground horizontally and therefore this naturally increases the distances between the players in the first pressing line so they are less compact, making it easier to pass the ball into midfield.

When we are working at training my players are at their best when we have small-sided battles and work on combination play that reflects the way City keep hold of the ball..

When we sit down and talk about what it is we are learning in our session I like to hear my player responses. You can try this with all age groups.

My ideal is to develop the youth players so they play with quick feet and make the right decisions – but of course within that there is so much more. So the list that I came away with last week from the chat with my players was: Good passing including correct weight of pass and tempo of pass, the correct movement to exploit space, underlapping and overlapping runs – including blind side runs, decision-making... I wanted more so I ask how do I know where the players are or are moving to?

The answers I get are “check your shoulders” and “communication” and also they came up with “shouts of encouragement” – that's a good one!

Talking to your players about the session they are about to take place in is a great way to get their minds on what you want them to do – one great way is to ask them how Manchester City dominate and exploit teams, you should get some good answers!

Here are key aspects that contribute to how teams can play like Guardiola's Manchester City:

1. Possession-based play: Guardiola emphasizes the importance of maintaining possession to control the game. Teams should focus on accurate passing, quick decision-making, and intelligent movement off the ball to create passing options.
2. High pressing: Guardiola encourages his players to press aggressively and win the ball back quickly, even in the opposition's half. This relentless pressure disrupts the opponent's build-up play and enables quick transitions.
3. Tactical flexibility: Guardiola adapts his team's tactics based on the opponent. Teams must be versatile, capable of switching formations and player roles during matches to exploit weaknesses and create numerical advantages.
4. Total football: Guardiola encourages players to be comfortable in multiple positions, allowing for seamless interchanging and positional fluidity. This style confuses opponents, opens up space, and creates opportunities for attacking combinations.
5. Intense training and discipline: Guardiola's teams exhibit high fitness levels and discipline on and off the field. Players must have the stamina to maintain intensity for the full 90 minutes and adhere to tactical instructions.
6. Continuous improvement: Guardiola prioritizes constant learning and improvement. Teams must analyze their performances, identify areas for growth, and strive for perfection in all aspects of the game.

By adopting these principles, teams can aspire to play like Guardiola's Manchester City, combining technical excellence, tactical awareness, and a relentless attacking mindset to dominate matches and entertain spectators.