Team analysis: Manchester City in Premier League 24/25 so far.

Manchester City’s 24/25 Premier League campaign has been a season of contrasts. While their tactical identity remains clear, the team has faced unexpected challenges, leading to some of their most underwhelming results in recent years. Is Rodri’s injury the real reason of the collapse or is it something else?

In this analysis, we’ll explore how their buildup play, pressing strategy, and key players have contributed to their performance—and where cracks have begun to show.

Buildup Play

Manchester City displays a slight preference for building up play on their right side. This area often sees a higher concentration of players, creating an overload that can pull opposing defenders out of position. This strategy is designed to free up space for their ball progressors on the left side (Grealish & Doku), allowing them to advance play more effectively.

The right-side focus in the build-up has exposed them to dangerous transitions when possession is lost, particularly against teams that counterattack quickly. (See more below)

High Press and Defensive Strategy

City employs a high pressing line with a subtle tilt towards the opponent’s left side. This approach increases pressure on this area and leads to slightly more successful recoveries compared to the right. When the press fails, the resulting gaps in midfield have left City exposed to counterattacks.

Possession and Defensive Metrics

City’s game revolves around ball control, which is evident in their consistently low xGA (expected goals against). However, a notable vulnerability emerges after turnovers, with a significant portion of xGA conceded shortly after losing possession. 

Opponents are increasingly targeting City during moments of transition, capitalizing on the spaces left by their high pressing system. Most of these ball losses occur on City’s right side, leading to dangerous situations that their defensive setup has struggled to contain, highlighting a key area for improvement in transition defense.

Key Players and Threat Creation

Kevin De Bruyne remains pivotal to City’s creative output, orchestrating threats across the pitch. After missing much of the early season due to injury, Kevin De Bruyne’s return was expected to reignite Manchester City’s attacking engine. His ability to unlock tight defenses and create clear-cut chances is unparalleled, and his influence remains vital to their tactical setup.

However, despite his return, City’s results have continued to falter. The expected resurgence has been dampened, and opponents seem better prepared to counteract his familiar patterns of play. The lack of unpredictability in City’s offensive movements has made even De Bruyne’s brilliance less impactful against well-organized defenses.

On the left side, Jack Grealish plays a crucial role in ball progression, leading the team in this regard. This left flank also proves to be the team’s most productive area for creating chances, with the majority of shot assists originating from this side. But remains a reliable outlet for chance creation, opponents have increasingly focused on neutralizing his influence.

With both De Bruyne and Grealish active again, City’s reliance on these two players has ironically made their attack more predictable. Teams now anticipate their patterns: De Bruyne’s incisive passes and Grealish’s left-side runs are heavily marked, often stifling the creative flow.

However, City’s history under Pep Guardiola suggests that they have the tools and resilience to adapt. By addressing their weaknesses and diversifying their approach, they can restore their position as the Premier League’s most formidable team.


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