A shrewd tactical move from Pep Guardiola helped Manchester City overcome Bournemouth | OneFootball

At halftime of Manchester City’s 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth Pep Guardiola replaced Abdukodir Khusanov with Nico O’Reilly. O’Reilly slotted in at left-back and Josko Gvardiol moved across to centre-back. Nico O’Reilly played a starring role in City’s win. His two assists and overall performance were key to Manchester City’s win. But the move of slotting Gvardiol in at centre-back was a shrewd move by Guardiola. It helped Manchester City overturn the 1-nil halftime and gave them more control of yesterday’s match in the second half.

In the first half of yesterday’s match, Manchester City did dominate possession. But there was no fluidity to their play for large periods of the first half. Bournemouth’s high press did cause City issues, especially when they were playing out from the back. Khusanov had moments when he struggled on the ball, as did Ruben Dias on occasions. The fact that City couldn’t play with any rhythm in the first half was an impediment to Manchester City’s play. Although it has to be said if Erling Haaland had put away one of the three quality chances he had in the first half Pep Guardiola’s side could’ve gone in with a 3-1 lead.

But at halftime, Pep Guardiola had to make a change. At 1-nil down City’s FA Cup campaign was teetering. The introduction of Nico O’Reilly helped change the game. Sliding Josko Gvardiol across also helped Manchester City go up a gear. Pep Guardiola’s side dominated possession and controlled the entire second half. Having Gvardiol at centre-back added more control and poise to City’s possession play. That was a crucial element in their second-half domination and victory.

Pep Guardiola made a shrewd tactical move at halftime of his team’s win over Bournemouth yesterday. Nico O’Reilly has gotten the plaudits for his fine display yesterday. But the move from Guardiola to slide Josko Gvardiol to centre-back was also crucial in his team’s win. That move may have gone under the radar but it was a crucial element to Manchester City’s second half performance and subsequent victory.