Tactx
@Tactx_
Pep conceded some control to Southampton yesterday as he looked to stop the link passes to the Southampton forward players. Southampton created opportunities through - overloading wide areas - dragging City centre backs out to wide areas - linking with striker
The City press usually forces opponents into wide areas where City press aggressively. Southampton emptied the middle of the pitch to create overloads in wide areas. With Akanji, Dias and Kovacic marking aggressively, Southampton linked to find the space in behind.
The central trio of Akanji, Dias and Kovacic were being dragged out of the central area as there was no one to mark in the centre of the pitch.
It's rare to see so many players in wide channels during the build-up. Southampton found a way to progress and then link with their striker. City, again, tried to press in wide areas but left themselves exposed in doing so.
Pep changed it, going with a less aggressive press while maintaining a central triangle of his CBs with Kovacic. It gave City less control but more security.
Kovacic was more reserved. Securing the centre instead being dragged higher and wider.
This led to Southampton's control as they built with overloads. Pep's trade-off was that Southampton linked with their striker less.
