It got lost amid Erling Haaland's blistering hat-trick, but Pep Guardiola produced another intriguing tactical switch in Manchester City's win this weekend.
Trailing 2-0 and completely second best, Guardiola called for Ilkay Gundogan and Julian Alvarez just five minutes into the second half, and the pair were ready as Bernardo Silva danced along the edge of the box and fired in City's first goal. That prompted a re-think as Gundogan and Alvarez were sent back to warm up, although they were soon introduced and they quietly changed the game.
Gundogan took up his usual midfield role, replacing Joao Cancelo as City reverted to three at the back, while Alvarez replaced Riyad Mahrez- but he didn't stay on the right for long and that was key to the Blues' comeback.
ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola reaffirms stance on 'irreplaceable' Bernardo Silva
Instead of Alvarez sticking the the wing, he found himself in the box to flick on Kevin De Bruyne's deep cross to Phil Foden behind him. Foden returned the ball for Erling Haaland to level the scores, before Guardiola's tactical change that could hint at new roles for both Foden and also Bernardo.
Alvarez finished the game on the left wing, where he has previously played for River Plate but not often, with his preferred role through the centre and next-best option on the right. That saw Foden come inside to partner De Bruyne and Gundogan in midfield, suggesting Guardiola may finally start to trust him with the tactical awareness needed to play in the centre.
The third goal came from Alvarez naturally coming into the box for a corner, playing a clever one-two with Bernardo, for the Portuguese to find John Stones who found Haaland. The fourth goal came as Foden fed Gundogan, Alvarez stayed wide to stretch the defence, and Gundogan found Haaland through the centre who did the rest.
Guardiola praised Gundogan for that awareness, but also highlighted the impact of Bernardo coming in from the right and Avlarez's impact on the left. As for Foden, he said the youngster has the feeling of the tempo of the goal, with his role proving extremely useful in keeping possession in midfield, getting the ball forward, and attracting defenders out of their low block to meet him before he kept the ball moving.
In the past, Guardiola has said Foden's immediate future would be out wide until he could develop the discipline to do what the likes of David Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan and Bernardo have all done in the centre. It was never a criticism of Foden, more that his strengths were better suited to the wing until his game developed.
Maybe now Guardiola is open to considering that switch in certain scenarios, especially if players like Alvarez can play out wide, as well as Jack Grealish when he's back from injury.
And with Bernardo looking like an option on the right wing again after so long in the centre, City are adding a new rotation policy within games across their two midfield positions and two wide positions. Guardiola praised Bernardo for being able to play three, four or five positions, which could be said of Foden too. If both can play centrally and out wide, with the ability to change roles in the middle of games, it could add a whole new set of options for Guardiola behind Haaland.
ALSO READ:
