Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are all about control. Their aim is to grind teams down by dominating possession and not allowing opponents the vague hope they will create sufficient chances to get something out of a game in what often becomes a prescribed training session.
Against Newcastle, City added an extra layer of midfield fortitude by starting Mateo Kovacic alongside Rodri and Bernardo Silva. These were the men tasked with keeping it simple, ensuring the ball was never lost and City moved up the pitch, while Newcastle were left with confusion in their eyes. Rodri and Kovacic held their positions while Silva was allowed to wander where he saw fit, helping him to score from two deflected shots. Keeping the ball for three-quarters of the match will offer greater opportunities for those in the final third.
