Pep Guardiola looks to have unleashed something new against Bournemouth | OneFootball

Manchester City picked up an important 3-1 win over Bournemouth today at the Etihad Stadium. Erling Haaland bagged a brace and Nico O’Reilly scored City’s third goal as Pep Guardiola’s side moved up to second on the Premier League table with their win. There were plenty of positives to take from the game for Manchester City. The performances of Nico, Nico O’Reilly, Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden, and Bernardo Silva stood out. Their performances weren’t the only talking points emerging from the game. A tactical move from Pep Guardiola, which allowed his team to get at Bournemouth, also stood out.

Pep Guardiola unleashed a new-look City attack today.

When the starting lineups were announced, it was clear that Pep Guardiola had selected an attacking lineup for today’s match. Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku all started today’s match. The assumption was that Doku would play on the left wing and Cherki on the right. Foden has moved into midfield this season and lined up there today. As today’s match unfolded, especially in the first half, the positions that Doku and Cherki took up when Manchester City had possession caught the eye.

Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku took up more central positions during Manchester City’s win today. With Phil Foden playing in midfield, Manchester City’s best moments of the first half came through the work and combination play between Foden, Doku and Cherki. The trio’s creativity was too much for Andoni Iraola’s side to handle. When Doku and Cherki drifted inside, Bournemouth couldn’t contain them. The trio helped City take full advantage of Bournemouth’s high defensive line. Rayan Cherki picked up two assists for Erling Haaland’s first-half brace. On another day, Foden and Doku could have set up goals for Haaland. But where the trio played stood out to me during the first half at the Etihad. They almost formed a troublesome of number-tens at times at the Etihad.

With Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki drifting centrally, it allowed Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly to get forward from the full-back positions. There was a plethora of attacking options for City to utilise against Bournemouth. Credit must also go to Bernardo Silva and Nico for forming a strong midfield base from which Manchester City’s attacking players could work. They did the dirty work which allowed their attacking teammates to shine.

Manchester City’s opponents may dictate if Guardiola utilises today’s system again.

Not every side Manchester City play will play like Bournemouth. Andoni Iraola’s side employed a high defensive line and attempted to press City deep in their own half. The way the Cherries played allowed Doku and Cherki to drift centrally and add more attacking threat to Manchester City’s play. It is unlikely that City will face many teams in the Premier League that play in that manner. So the tactical move from Pep Guardiola that was on show today may not become commonplace based on how City’s opponents commonly set up.

Pep Guardiola looks to have unleashed a new tactic today during Manchester City’s win over Bournemouth. With Rayan Cherki, Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden playing central roles it allowed City to overwhelm Bournemouth in the centre of the pitch with their creativity, talent and drive. It was clever management from Guardiola and it may be a tactic we see again if City play attack-minded opponents.