Pep Guardiola's mastermind tactics analysis (full backs, formations and more!)

Pep Guardiola is a certified title-winning manager. Many put this down to the players he has been blessed with, such as Messi, David Silva, Robert Lewandowski and many more, but I believe this is down to his tactical brilliance. Pep Guardiola used inverted full backs to allow an extra threat for Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. The usage of Dani Alves for Barcelona allowed Barcelona to create from deep, as well as keeping a high tempo tiki-taka up the pitch with the support of Abidal and Alves. At Bayern Munich, we saw it primarily with Kimmich and Alaba, but also saw it with Lahm and Alaba and at Man City we have seen it with Cancelo and Walker + Cancelo and Zinchenko. All of these players go into one formation in their respective teams; 3-2-5 or even a 3-2-4-1.

With the 3-2-4-1 formation, Man City would be expected to line up like this; Gundogan becomes more attacking as Rico Lewis moves into the midfield to break the lines with Rodri, as well as him being able to move up with Mahrez if needed. It’s not too dissimilar from how I have presented above, with Lewis moving into that right central midfielder spot to help with an attack - just one of many ways Pep Guardiola has more full backs more attacking, whether it be by moving them into the midfield on attack or pushing them up with the wingers.

In defensive situations, the formation would likely revert to stop wingers, with the left back (Ake) moving out towards his position rather than being more centered, like he is on attack. Rico Lewis drops from midfield as Gundogan comes in to take his position, Rodri moves to the centre to act as a lone anchoring midfielder and the wings drop shorter to receive the ball.

The way this formation is structured allows Pep’s side to be solid in the defensive side of the game with 4 at the back, but possession based football and forcing control of the ball in the opposition half on the attacking side of the game. He gets the team to utilise their creators, like De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish and Mahrez to feed Haaland chances as well as taking some of their own. However, it has shown that in the event of counter attacks, Manchester City lack pace as, whilst their team presses high, their defensive line gets caught out.

Pep Guardiola’s unique tactics and formations, alongside his player management and usage of those players has earned him 32 career trophies as manager, including 2 Champions Leagues.