‘Unbelievable’… Paul Merson says Manchester City are actually doing something in games right now that is ‘such an art’
Manchester City are taking on Liverpool this weekend in the Premier League in what is undoubtedly the biggest game of the season so far – and pundit Paul Merson has been looking ahead to the crunch match.
City are in Champions League action against FC Copenhagen tonight first though, and are looking to get the job done after a 3-1 win in the first leg of the last 16 tie.
But attention will then immediately turn to Liverpool at Anfield, and it really is a clash of the titans.
Both clubs will go into the game in amazing form, but especially City, who are unbeaten in 18 matches across all competitions.
Pep Guardiola‘s side have been playing some amazing stuff, and Merson has hailed the sky blues ahead of the weekend…
Paul Merson says Manchester City play like they have ’12 or 13 players’
Manchester City Training Session And Press Conference – UEFA Champions League 2023/24
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
MORE MAN CITY STORIES
Last time out, City defeated rivals Manchester United 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium, with Phil Foden the star of the show scoring two goals.
It was an absolutely dominant performance from the home side, despite the margin of only two goals in the end.
United adopted a low block, but it proved an unsuccessful tactic in the end, as City worked the ball brilliantly in the final third and between the lines.
City’s final third passing has always been so amazing to watch.
For Merson, it is incredible to see how they show such patience in and around the box. He told Sky Sports: “Man City look like they’re playing 12 or 13 players every week. Their patience is unbelievable. The way they keep the ball and don’t force it. They wait and wait for a chance. There’s such an art in that.”
Guardiola will probably love this from Merson if he gets wind of it, because it is paying tribute to the control that his players exert in games. To look like you’re playing with 12 or 13 players means you are dominating.
The Spaniard has always been very big on having control of football matches, and City are brilliant in the way they probe in areas where there is seemingly no space.
They never force the ball and the patience shown for that perfect opening is so impressive.
Sometimes, the probing can go on for a while and it can feel as though you want a player to have pop from the edge of the box, as Foden did against United on Sunday.
But by and large, the City way is to work the ball behind the opposition for a simple finish.
Leave a Reply