Manchester City have found their identity ahead of a pivotal point of the season | OneFootball

Manchester City arguably put in their best all-around performance of the season in their 3-1 win over Newcastle at St. James’ Park last Saturday. Pep Guardiola’s side booked their place in the quarter-final stage of this season’s FA Cup with a dominant and polished performance. Outside of the opening 20 minutes, City dominated Newcastle, and all of the key elements of a Pep Guardiola team were on full display. Manchester City’s performance at St. James’ Park was perhaps the first real sign that this City side is becoming what their manager envisioned. City’s display against Newcastle, in a hostile environment, should see them enter tomorrow night’s clash with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu full of confidence.

Pep Guardiola believes that this Manchester City side put in a defining performance against Newcastle.

The way Manchester City played against Newcastle at St. James’ Park was superb. Everything that makes a Pep Guardiola side tick was on display. Yes, Guardiola fielded a heavily changed starting lineup against Eddie Howe’s side, but that didn’t matter given the manner of City’s overall performance after the opening 20 minutes.

Despite having a heavily rotated starting lineup, the principles of a Pep Guardiola side stood out at St. James’ Park. City dominated possession, and the attacking movement of Tijjani Reijnders and especially Matheus Nunes from right-back tormented Newcastle. City’s high press was on point as Eddie Howe’s side struggled to get out on occasion. Going forward, there was fluidity to Manchester City’s attacking play which caused Newcastle all sorts of issues. It was perhaps the most Manchester City performance that this City side has produced all season. All of the elements that have defined Pep Guardiola’s team were clear to see at St. James’ Park.

This fact wasn’t lost on Pep Guardiola. Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s first-leg Round of 16 tie against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, Guardiola said: “Newcastle game defined who we are. (Meaning?) Watch the game. We want to be proactive to regain the ball, when we want to attack quick for the quality they have we have to do it otherwise drop the team, don’t make many mistakes, drop them, and attack, consistency, again, and again, and again, regain the ball as quick as possible. I think this is what defined the Manchester City team in the last 10 years.”

City will enter the clash with Real Madrid full of confidence.

Outside of the result against Newcastle, the manner of Manchester City’s performance will fill this team with confidence ahead of their clash with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Manchester City have won nine of their past eleven matches in all competitions, the other two results being draws, and City’s overall performances have improved drastically. City know all too well the danger posed by playing Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Playing a wounded Real side doesn’t change the equation. City will have to back themselves to impose their will on the La Liga giants. Pep Guardiola’s side will enter tomorrow night’s match full of confidence to do just that.

This Manchester City side looks to have found its identity. It has been a gradual process as this new-look City side learns the Pep Guardiola way. As City prepares to take on Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, they will enter the match full of confidence and resembling a Pep Guardiola side of years gone by. That could be a crucial factor as City bids to take control of their Round of 16 tie at the Bernabeu tomorrow night.