PEP GUARDIOLA 2-3-5 FORMATION MASTERCLASS

Going by the Premier League games so far, this season promises excitement, with top quality managers in various clubs vying for glory.

The first round of games showed the quality of Man City boss Pep Guardiola. The tactical variety was effective as he deployed a rare 2-3-5 formation, using the players available in the best possible way. He is known to be one of the most creative managers in the modern era and he showed it in his first game in charge.

Guardiola used the “inverted full back” squad method. His first game was the most anticipated in the opening game day. Apparently, it could be seen as a 4-3-3 but when Man City were able to get three-quarter of the possession, veteran city players Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy moved to the centre to join Fernandinho. The wingers remained Raheem Sterling at the right and new signing from Spain Nolito playing in the left. A fit David Silva joined Kevin De Bruyne in central midfield as they edged closer to Sergio Aguero at the front. John Stones match with Aleksander Kolarov at the centre back position formed the known 2-3-5 formation very well.

The formation allowed for new passing angles, as a winger and full back were not on a vertical line. Guardiola used one of his known methods at Bayern Munich, placing a player wide and at the middle to create more options. The squad didn’t create as much chances as expected, but they were able to convert an opportunity to get their second when they needed it, sending the coach into frenzy. They had scored the first when Sterling was fouled in the box and Aguero scored the penalty, hitting hard to the left and beating the goal keeper. Sunderland equalised and Davis Moyes rejoiced but City had the last laugh.