How did both sides set up?
[player 432881] started in goal for [team 71]. [player 3158]and [player 2818] started as full-backs with skipper [player 3344] and [player 35364] in center halves. As always, [player 3354] started in the holding midfield role with [player 25063] and [player 4527] in advanced positions. [player 6563] and [player 197870] provided the attacking width while [player 1175] started upfront in a suspected 4-1-4-1. [player 262274]’s absence was worrying Leeds fans as the winger was unavailable against his parent club. Big signing [player 793] was on the bench as [coach 1533119] is yet to find his right position.
[team 9] had [player 159142] in goal with the big-money signing [player 162536] partnering [player 186299] in defense. [player 96183] and [player 911] started at their natural positions while [player 186910] began in the middle of a three-man midfield consisting of [player 1371] and [player 336133] either side. [player 802] was on the left-wing, and [player 971] started upfront as a false number nine. Spanish signing [player 448389] started from the wing in a 4-3-3.
Fixture details: [fixture 16924629]
First-Half review
Manchester City started on the front foot and pressed Leeds backward to good effect. Leeds had no answer to [coach 455361]’s high pressing and were constantly giving the ball away in their half. City’s pressure was rewarded as Raheem Sterling scored a top-class individual goal.
As the half grew, Leeds started growing into the game, and midfielders Kalvin Phillips and Klich started to gain control. They eventually took 4 shots and had 2 of them saved by Ederson, and a couple of others went off target. Leeds finished the half strongly and had good momentum going into the second. They were also efficient in their defensive contributions as they completed 12 tackles and 5 interceptions.
City meanwhile capitulated towards the end of the first half. However, they took 12 shots in total in the early 45,’ but only 2 of them were on target. Ederson’s heroics kept City leading at half time.
Second-Half review
Both teams started the second half with greater intensity without the ball. Bielsa took off Alioski and sent on the dynamic [player 2823510] as he wanted more pace and dynamism in the attack. Record signing Rodrigo came on at minute 56’ for Roberts. The Spaniard immediately impacted and scored just three minutes later from a corner, which was spilled by Ederson, and Rodrigo tapped it home. The Brazilian was City’s savior in the first half but ended up making a costly error for his side.
Pep than sent on [player 96353] and replaced Torres for throwing some energy and creativity on the pitch. A couple of surprising changes than took pace as Pep decided to replace two attacking players in Mendy and Mahrez and sent [player 1408] and [player 1869] on the pitch. It was seeming like Pep was trying to hang on to a draw. However, towards the late minutes, City took control and looked favorites to win the game.
However, City dominance was not being converted into a goal. The away side took 11 shots, but none of it was on target. On the other hand, Leeds could have won the game if they took their chances. The Whites recorded 8 shots in the second half, with 5 of them on target.
What do we learn?
It was a much improved defensive performance from Pep’s City, but a lot has to get better. They lacked cohesion in their pressing in moments and, as a result, were isolated in the midfield. Ederson again made some critical saves in the second half and kept City in the game.
Leeds United don’t have to worry about their performances. It was another characteristic display against one of the best sides in Europe. With strong momentum building, Leeds could finish in the top half by the end of this season.