The UEFA Champions League quarter-final match between Real Madrid and Manchester City has caused a stir in the football world. Pep Guardiola's next visit to the Bernabéu ended with one of the heaviest and most unexpected defeats of his career. Zamin.uz presents a tactical analysis of this dramatic match.
In the match held in Madrid, the "Citizens" lost 0:3. However, before the game, City was seen as a clear favorite, and even Upta had rated their chances of advancing to the next stage at 69%. However, Pep Guardiola's risky approach to squad selection failed this time.
"Experience" in defense: Khusanov and O'Rayli
Guardiola unexpectedly handed over the defensive wings to younger and less experienced players. Abdukodir Khusanov, a talented Uzbek player, played on the right wing, while Niko O'Rayli played on the left. The absence of proven players like Mateusz Nunes and Ryan Ait-Nuri in the starting lineup decided the fate of the game.
Why specifically Khusanov?
Pep's logic was simple: only a quick defender at Kyle Walker's level could stop Vinicius Junior's speed. In the team, Khusanov was the candidate closest to Walker in this indicator. Although Abdukodir played successfully against the Brazilian winger last season, this time the atmosphere of the Bernabéu and the cunning of Vinicius prevailed.
Goal error chain:
- First goal: Nico O'Reilly focused solely on the ball in the duel with Fede Valverde, overlooking the opponent's move. This was regarded as a "classical" error of modern defense.
- Penalty and second goal: Arda Güler takes possession after an inaccurate pass from Khusanov, putting Vinicius ahead. The incident ended with a foul and an 11-meter free kick.
- Third goal: Vinicius skillfully deflected Khusanov, creating a gap, and the attack ended with a goal.
One-sided attack
Khusanov's sluggish handling of the ball hindered City's quick attacks. The team became extremely attached to Jeremy Doku, and the right wing lacked creativity. Although O'Reilly tried to act as a hidden playmaker, Valverde blocked all his paths.
Conclusion: Can City create a miracle?
Despite the defeat, Manchester City has a return leg. However, Guardiola's "extremely complex tactical games" have once again proven to be costly for the team. This match was a big lesson for Khusanov and O'Rayli, but the result was very painful for the fans.
Do you think Guardiola made a mistake by placing Khusanov in the starting lineup? Or is the fault only in tactics?
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