30 Aug 2025 13:48:24
The real issue is that at some point, whatever system one plays, a team is going to have to have players who can beat a man either by dribbling, passing around, or making space and then executing in front of goal. It's a game of movement. And because nowadays all the players are fit the movement has to be fast. You can defend statically in a low block, filling up the spaces, but to score you need something else. If the defending team is not forced to deal with surprise or unexpected movement their life will be relatively easy. It's not the formation per se, it's the rigidity of the formation. Whatever system one plays flexibility is essential.

On this note, one of the reasons I thought City had a more difficult season last year was that their game had become more predictable. It seemed sometimes that virtually every attack would go through Doku.

1.) 31 Aug 2025
30 Aug 2025 16:47:53
Not looking good, against Burnley.