The Ushering of a New Period of Dominance for Man City

This was a demolition. Complete dominance of the current European champions. One of the best team performances we've seen in this competition for some time. It wasn’t even close. 

Much credit to this team and what they achieved last night. From the start the intent was there, the intensity in their play, they were in sync and playing in a way unnerved by the pressure of the occasion but with the belief that they can beat anyone. City made Madrid look ordinary, average and perhaps even scared. It was relentless. But it wasn't a surprise! 

City should have been in the final last season, if not for an Eder Militao block on the line. Last season Madrid managed to show a level of resilience and mindset to overcome setbacks while looking at defeat and finding a way to comeback. Madrid’s success last season came from a sense that no matter the situation, they had players and a collective mindset that they can find a way back. And so it proved. Their run through to the final was a struggle; PSG, Chelsea, Man City and then Liverpool. All of these games felt they were the second best side. And yet it felt through Karim Benzema they found a way. 

But in truth, if it wasn’t for Courtois in the final Madrid should really have lost. He was immense. Like he was for the first 20 mins last night, where he kept Haaland out twice and looked to be the difference maker once again. But City weren’t going to be deterred by him or Madrid this time around, they were fuelled and confident that they could overcome this heavyweight and progress to the final. And in doing so, they effectively put an end to Madrid's dynasty. Ultimately setting up their own period of dominance and dynasty on the European stage. 

Man City 2023 - Guardiola’s Most Complete Team

Let’s analyse the game. Guardiola didn’t overthink his selection, unlike other times he didn’t feel the need to do anything too risky or innovative. He has got the XI which he trusts, in a setup he now finds balance, control and an element of fluidity which he craves, a team setup in perfect harmony. 

He has some fantastic talent who all offer key needs to the team. Walker is the best in the world at what he does; stopping electric wide forwards – and once he again he kept Vinicius Jr quiet throughout. John Stones evolution into a DM role where he can move between a CB and CM has been the best tactical innovation which Pep has experimented this season. It allows to control midfield while having a world class defender in his team for period of out of possession and defending set pieces. Stones has been exceptional in this role. This allows Rodri more freedom to roam and dominate the game, and he really is incredible. A regain monster, a controller of the tempo and rhythm and defensively so strong in 1v1 duels that penetrating City centrally is very difficult. With the addition of Akanji, along with Dias and Ake when needed, City have a group of strong and dominant defenders, a criticism many Guardiola teams have been criticised for and targeted as a weakness. Not anymore. 

Jack Grealish has now ‘got it’ and is playing on a new level of intelligence and decision making – he is now playing the Guardiola style on auto and not constrained by his over-thinking each movement or decision. Now he plays with freedom and like last night showed, a key threat and essential part of the system – to create width and exploit 1v1’s – allowing central runners to penetrate with blind side runs (Gundogan on 2^nd goal). 

Add in the world’s best playmaker in De Bruyne, and the most complete forward in the game, along with the most versatile and universal footballer in Bernardo Silva – you have a team built for complete dominance. Guardiola has created a team which is capable of succeeding in all facets of the game; to dominate possession with never ending chance creation, the ability to play between lines and play in behind and to play wide both sides effectively. Fantastic counter-pressing ability to regain immediately and prevent counter attacks and now a more stable, organised and dominant defensive out of possession structure. City are capable of dropping into a mid-block, all players contribute to the out of possession period and there is a collective desire and confidence that they can control games without the ball as well as with it. Add in their height and effectiveness in set pieces in both boxes and Man City could well be the most complete team we have ever seen. 

You can make the argument that City have broken rules and they have ‘cheated’ their way here, and that is still to come out and punishments to be decided if found guilty. But this is a team which is so perfectly coached, so focused and driven in their collective mindset and goals, that they are an unstoppable juggernaut, the best team in the world, on course to win a treble and perhaps dominate European football for at least the next 5 years. As is Guardiola’s modus operandi he has dominated the Premier League, as he did in Germany and Spain. His ability to win domestically has been truly phenomenol. But it is the Champions League which has evaded him for 12 years and which he has been questioned on. He needs this. 

The worry for the rest of football is that when he and City get it this year, it might be hard to get it off them for sometime. In the same way Madrid’s desperation for La Decima led to a frustrated and fearful approach to being European champions, as soon as Ancelotti managed to finally deliver it, they ended winning 5 out 9 and cement themselves as the European dynasty of this era. But that era is now over. 

Madrid's era ends in tragic circumstances

Ancelotti got it wrong. Horribly wrong in fact. A lot of it had to do with the decision to play Camavinga at left back. In his desire to drop Rudiger for Militao, and not just move Alaba to left back, he moved out a key component of the defence, one who had done a very good job on Haaland the week before, and who had proven his ability to step up in these level of games. Chelsea have missed him dearly this year, his dominance and leadership. He was a key part of Chelsea's Champions League success against City. Not playing was naive and wrong. By the time he came on the game was over. Simply put, Madrid are better with him in the team. 

And yet in a desire to get Camavinga in the team effectively cost them the tie last night. Both goals in the first half can be pointed to him and his decision making and positioning. His decision to jump out on the first goal out to Walker, vacate his position in the back line and effectively allow Bernardo Silva the space in the box to receive and ultimately score, is really criminal! The threat isn’t Walker, there’s no need to jump out, it’s so naïve and against City too! They are just waiting for a player to step out in order to exploit the space behind – and Madrid played right into their hands. 

Then the second goal – Camavinga is on the right side after following and tracking Berardo Silva across the pitch – Madrid don’t really cover for him but Alaba has moved more to a LB spot to cover, Militao and Carvahal are effectively now in centre back positions, so Camavinga can effectively stay as a RB in this phase. And yet, he just turns out of that position when he thinks that phase has ended, and ultimately allows Grealish a vast amount of space to receive into, he runs into the box, who then finds a free Gundogan who has run blind side of Valverde. The shot is blocked and Bernardo heads in the rebound as Modric wasn’t reacting to his movement and the rebound. 

Camavinga does get a lot of the blame here for his naïve movement, positioning and decision making…but, the truth is this is a 20 year old young player, who while has been very good since joining Madrid, there are some very experienced players in this team who underperformed in this game. Kroos and Modric were very poor, in their possession and defensive elements. They were outplayed and outclassed, outworked and out-thought – truthfully they showed their age. The end of their era was last night. 

Valverde had a really poor game too but I do think Ancelotti moved away from the approach which worked so well last year. Namely a 4-4-2 formation with Valverde on the right side, Vini Jr wide and Benzema through the middle. With Camavinga coming on late in games, bringing great energy and drive in his play and opening a tired team late one. But this approach doesn’t work as well without one of their key players this last decade. They really missed Caesmiro last night. His ability to cover space, regain and protect the defence was sorely missing when it mattered. Madrid have not been able to replace him and although a midfield of Bellingham, Camavinga, Tchouaméni and Valderde is entincing, one has to wonder if any of these can replace the gaping hole which Casemiro has left. 

The end of an era and ushering of a new King

Madrid’s midfield were dominated last night, made to look old and leggy. City were vibrant, energetic and ruthless in their approach. Madrid looked like a team ready for a reset and a new era to begin. The need to replace Benzema as a central forward, and to find a new Casemiro are key needs for this team. There’s quality in there for sure, and Bellingham can bring the dynamism and character which can propel this team forward. 

But last night was a sad and disappointing end to a decade of brilliance and class from players like Kroos and Modric. All dynasties but come to a tragic end I guess, and Madrid suffered theirs last night. A new era begins for both clubs. Madrid’s will be with a new spine and perhaps even a new coach. Man City’s one will be one of global dominance, a team and coach who after achieving European success, may be unstoppable for several years. Inter Milan may have something to say about it, but based on last night, no club in world football right now can compete with this team. 

The Whitehouse Address @The_W_Address