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Bernardo and Gundogan as 8s with De Bruyne ahead of them. A quick thread on creativity 1/
Bernardo (20) and Gundogan (8) lined up ahead of Rodri (16) in midfield for City today. The average positions show they played as 8s either side of Rodri. De Bruyne (17) played pushed right up 2/
It’s long been thought that Pep is reluctant to play Bernardo and De Bruyne as 8s despite calls from the fans. This goes back to the la pausa issue as Pep believes Gundogan is the only midfielder who provides an element of control that City are missing since David Silva left 3/
With Bernardo and Gundogan together City keep that element of control and add Bernardo’s all round game - industry, ability to carry the ball under pressure and intelligence 4/
With De Bruyne pushed up top, what this set up gives City is creativity from deep all the way up the pitch. A perfect example of this was Gundogan’s back heel chance in the first half 5/
Bernardo picks up possession deep on the right side. He’s right marked and needs to show good footwork to beat his man 6/
He does so with his usual dexterity. This draws the Chelsea midfield to him and leaves Sterling free 7/
He releases Sterling. Creativity from deep 8/
Sterling is away and carries the ball forward into the final 3rd 9/
Sterling’s best option now is De Bruyne rather than a natural striker. There no one else in the league you’d want as your option in this situation and that’s what this set up does - creativity all the way up the pitch 10/
Sterling plays De Bruyne in. Gundogan is able to support the attack from 8, as opposed to a double pivot, and Foden is free on the left 11/
De Bruyne plays in Foden, creativity from the forward line, who’s in behind the Chelsea defence and able to pick his man out in the centre 12/
Gundogan arriving from 8 is able to try and execute a back heel. It’s goes wide but would have been a great goal and shows how playing Gundogan, Bernardo and De Bruyne centrally offers City so much creativity. It worked brilliantly today and is something we might see more of 13/
