Line-Ups
Tottenham Hotspur (TOT): in-possession 4231 & out-of-possession 442 / 640
Manchester City (MC): in-possession 325 & out-of-possession 433
More details on each team's shape, in and out of possession, and general observations below.
Tottenham Hotspur Observations
In-Possession:
TOT had a clear tactic in-possession which they used both when in controlled possession and also in counter attacking situations
This tactic involved Kane dropping deeper, either between-the-lines or even infront of the MC midfield, in an attempt to drag out a MC centre back and then Son and Bergwijn would make out-to-in runs behind the MC backline into the/any vacated space
This tactic led to both TOT's goals in the game and whilst each goal came about in slightly different ways, there were automatic movements and passes TOT players knew they needed to make in specific scenarios
The first goal came from Ndombele receiving possession in the middle of the pitch following a spell of controlled possession for TOT - Ndombele would regularly drop deeper in central midfield, often on the blindside of Rodri to receive the ball
After Ndombele outmaneuvered an MC central midfielder, he had time and space to be able to make a forward pass - this was a specific scenario TOT players would automatically react to
Once Kane saw that Ndombele was facing forward, unopposed, he would make a decoy movement towards the ball which in turn would drag out the MC centre back - in this scenario, both MC centre backs reacted and slightly pushed out of position
Simultaneous to Kane's movement, Son would also begin his run once he saw Ndombele with time and space to play a pass in-behind the MC backline, so in essence he had a head start on his opponent and as running from a deeper position, very unlikely to be caught offside
The result, Ndombele clipped a ball over the top of the MC backline for the already on the move Son who controlled and scored to make it 1-0
The second goal came from a turnover in possession which meant that MC were not set in their out-of-possession shape nor were they in a good rest defence shape either
Once a TOT centre back regained possession, the first thought was to look and see if Kane was free for a pass
Throughout the game, following turnovers in possession, Kane would look to find space between-the-lines of the MC midfield and defence for these situations
Once Kane received a clipped pass from the centre back and was able to turn unopposed in the middle of the pitch, MC were in trouble as TOT players were already on the move, aware of what the plan of attack would be
As Kane began to carry the ball towards the MC backline, Son, Bergwign and at this point Lo Celso, who had come on as a substitute for Ndombele, were all making forwards runs a) to try and get behind the MC backline but also b) force the MC defence back towards their goal and therefore giving Kane more time and space to pick his pass or even shoot himself
The result, Kane slipped the ball into Lo Celso, who was attacking on the left side of the MC defenders whilst Son attacked the right and Bergwijn through the middle (again, another pre-planned tactic to ensure that MC were unsure where the pass would be made), where he controlled and scored to make it 2-0
Whilst these were two tactics that resulted in goals, TOT had a few other pre-determined patterns of play to try and exploit the space in-behind the MC backline
One specific move again involved Kane dropping deep to receive a clipped pass from his centre back, Kane would control with his back to goal and then lay off to Ndombele who would be facing forwards, towards goal
Instead of Son and Bergwijn making their automatic runs inside from Kane's movement, they instead would wait for the lay off to Ndombele and then would start their runs as they knew Ndombele would try to play a first-time clipped pass over the top of the MC backline
Other observations in TOT's in-possession play included both fullbacks pushing wide and relatively high down the flanks - both fullbacks tended to position themselves in the space behind the MC wide forwards on their side, they would not necessarily push up high alongside the MC backline
As MC were relatively compact out-of-possession TOT fullbacks were often in space on MC's weak side so available for a diagonal pass from TOT's centre backs, both of whom are comfortable attempting and making that type of pass
When TOT's fullbacks did push higher up the pitch, to ensure TOT were not left vulnerable in these wide areas in the result of a turnover, the TOT central midfielders would each roll out of their central position into deeper half spaces to cover the space the fullback had vacated - Sissoko would do this when Aurier attacked on the right flank and Hojberg when Reguillon attacked on the left flank
Another noteworthy tactic used by TOT was Son's position on the right-side of attack, as opposed to his usual left-side attacking role
This switch of sides presumably was intended to exploit Cancelo at left back, who TOT determined not as good defensively nor as quick as Walker at right back
As mentioned above, due to TOT's specific attacking patterns of play, Son was often one-step ahead of Cancelo and able to get a head start on his runs and due to Son's superior speed, Cancelo's was never able to recover - this may have been more difficult for Son if had played on his usual left-hand side of the attack versus Walker at right back who may at times had enough pace to recover and get back goal side of Son (all hypothetical but I think a smart tactic by TOT to try and gain small margins)
The below visual gives an example of the type of movements TOT players would make when in-possession
These movements were predominantly made when TOT were in build-up and/or middle third possession, as TOT tried to attack so directly and quicky from these phases, they tended not to have too much controlled possession in the final third
Out-of-Possession:
To counter MC's attacking shape and movements, TOT employed some interesting tactics out-of-possession
TOT's default out-of-possession tactic was to get into a mid-block shape so were comfortable with MC having possession in their own third and even the middle third of the pitch - in essence, having possession infront of TOT's out-of-possession shape
(Note - this tactic would also have been used as it drew MC up the pitch and then created space in-behind their backline for TOT to attack if/when they forced a turnover)
See the visual below for an example of TOT's mid-block shape where you can see how high TOT would allow MC build up possession
As in build-up / middle-third possession phases, MC get into a 325 / 235 shape, TOT got into a compact 442 shape
Son and Bergwijn would drop deeper on the outside of TOT's two central midfielders to make a midfield four to ensure they were not overloaded in central or wide areas, plus, they wide players would try to block passing lanes into their front five who were spread across the pitch and TOT's back four
Kane and Ndombele would both drop and become TOT's first line of defence, trying to block the centre of the pitch and force MC out wide, around TOT's out-of-possession shape
However, as indicated by the blue lines on the visual, MC are very fluid in-possession and players can often take up different positions and interchange with each other
Also, like TOT in this match, MC have some pre-determined attacking patterns of play / areas they like to attack, including positioning their wide forwards near the touchline in an attempt to drag out the opponent's fullback and then a teammate, mainly one of the attacking midfielders, will run into that vacated space to try and receive the ball
See the visual below for an example of this pattern of play to help demonstrate the idea and the areas MC like to try and work the ball into when in the final third for low crosses and/or cutbacks and then also the bodies they try to get into the box (note - MC will try to cover the goal so an attacker at the front post, middle and far post and they can also have a player on the edge of the box too)
In the scenario above, Alderweireld would look to be the most likely TOT to track Silva's run but then he would therefore vacate his centre back position and may leave TOT vulnerable in the box to defend / block MC's attackers who are trying to get on the end of the pass / cross
Therefore, what TOT did instead was instruct their central midfielders (Sissoko and Hojberg) to track these runs and therefore allow their centre backs to stay in position and defend their 6-yard box / space infront of the goal
TOT central midfielders followed these instructions so closely that TOT were often in a 640 low block shape when MC had possession in TOT's final third
The two central midfielders would take up the positions between TOT's centre backs and fullbacks on their respective side and then Kane and Ndombele would drop even deeper to take up 'traditional' central midfield positions
See the visual below to demonstrate their 640 low block shape
Whilst this tactic did not stop MC from creating shooting opportunities (MC had 21 shots in total in the game), it did help TOT get a lot of bodies in their own box to defend, demonstrated by 11 of those shots being blocked, and also limiting MC to an overall expected goals of 1.3
Overall, TOT's in-possession and out-of-possession tactics (thrown in with some luck) all helped contribute to the important moments in this game which led to their 2-0 win
Manchester City Observations
In-Possession:
A lot of MC's tactics in-possession have been detailed above, both written and via visuals, so only brief observations below
In MC build-up and middle third possession, Cancelo would look come infield from his left back starting position to take up more central midfield positions
Whereas Walker would tend to tuck in slightly on the right but stay more in line with MC's two central defenders to give MC a 325 shape, as both Silva and De Bruyne would push up higher on the pitch to try and take up positions on the spaces on the outside and in behind TOT's central midfielders
This helped MC in multiple ways - 1) it gave MC a numerical advantage versus TOT's first line of defence, 2) it allowed MC to make shorter distance passes which Guardiola prefers, 3) as the players are closer together, they are in a position to counter-press in packs if they lose possession, 4) it enables MC to have players behind the ball if MC get caught on the counter and 5) it narrowed TOT's midfield four so often allowed passes to be made from the centre backs directly to the wingers in the final third, so easier for MC to get up the pitch and then pin the opposition into a defensive low block shape
When MC did have controlled possession in the final third, Walker would often offer an overlap run on the outside of Mahrez on the right flank if the opportunity arose - this meant MC were at these times in a 226 shape
Also in the final third, and as mentioned previously, MC are very fluid in-possession and players can often take up different positions and interchange with each other
Some specific tactics MC employ to capitalise of their attacking respective strengths are - Mahrez will cut in from the right wing to play in-swinging crosses or shoot with his preferred left foot, De Bruyne will roam wide right in the final third to play whipped crosses - aiming to get the ball into the limited space behind the defensive line and infront of the goalkeeper, Silva will use his mobility to make runs in behind the backline (as demonstrated in the visuals above) and also regularly interchange position with Torres, Jesus will both make runs into the box but also drop into pockets of space with his back to goal to receive the balls into feet and play one touch layoffs for teammates making an incoming run into the box
Out-of-Possession:
As TOT scored after 5 minutes, the game state meant that TOT were comfortable allowing MC possession (also, most likely their tactic as explained above)
Therefore, MC's main out-of-possession actions throughout the game involved 1) counter-pressing and 2) defending counter attacks
MC regularly had TOT pinned in their own third, and as a result their backline would push up high in TOT's half when in-possession, so their two centre backs and Rodri, Cancelo and Walker could all help quickly put pressure on any TOT player in possession of the ball following a turnover, plus, any MC attackers near where the ball had been lost
However, if TOT were able to beat this counter press or MC were not a good position to counter press, then MC would rely on runners back to deal with counter attacks - which the whole team all appeared well drilled / instructed to do, this would even include Jesus at times, specifically if he had dropped short when the team were in-possession and therefore was in a better position to recover / get back compared to a midfield teammate
MC conceded the first goal due to a number of defensive errors - the midfielders were unable to put pressure on a TOT midfielder, so he was able to have time to make a forward pass, both their centre backs were drawn out of position by Kane's decoy run to come short and Cancelo failed to anticipate (and then recover) Son's run in-behind
Result
Half-Time = 1-0
Full-Time = 2-0
Thank you for reading.
Stats used in this piece were obtained from fbref.com
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