An open Manchester City training session was held on the 3rd August at the club’s Ethiad Stadium. This article gives an account of the exercises and tactics on the day witnessed first-hand and is complemented by original photos from Joseph Wrigley.
After warming up, the squad which included all of the first team players except new signing; Sergio Aguero and want-away captain Carlos Tevez got straight to work.
It began with half pitch passing in formation. The probable starting line-up, Mario Balotelli, David Silva, Vincent Kompany and company lined up as they have done all pre-season, with Balotelli spearheading attack, laying it out to Silva and Milner or into the middle with De Jong and Yaya Toure. Silva or as newly dubbed by SWP, ‘Merlin’ was allowed to weave his magic in between midfield and attack. The other half of the pitch included substitutes and youngsters such as Vladmir Weiss and Ryan McGivern.
Roberto Mancini marshalled the two halves, seemingly enforcing a one or two touch limit. The boss was clearly in no mood to tolerate slow movement of the ball. Employing this tactic to practice counter attacking relies heavily on movement and impressively that was in abundance from all on display. This is fortunate as disturbing Manchester United’s defence in the curtain raiser will require comprehensively understood shifting.
There was an emphasis on wing play and introducing the fullbacks as much as possible. Clichy in particular impressed with his athleticism proving useful to out-compete even the force that is Micah Richards on a number of occasions.
McGivern and Weiss playing displays plans for squad integration and it would be good to see Weiss utilised. Many remember his superb free kick against the Chelsea youth amongst other highlights of his City academy career. They may also cite his good form for Rangers since being there on loan as evidence he should have heavier involvement this campaign. McGivern has recently gone out on loan for a month to Crystal Palace, so clearly City are supplementing his training with match experience, perhaps to prepare him for near future appearances.
Defenders worked on holding their defensive line whilst coming short and then dropping deep to defend long balls over the top. Also, fullbacks came out to meet wide attackers and close down whilst the rest of the defence took up position in the centre. This emphasis on wide play suggests awareness of the newly signed Ashley Young along with Nani and Valencia as danger-men for United.
Attackers practised one touch routes to goal through the midfield .Usually working from the back, out wide, to the centre then swiftly outside for a cross and shot on goal. More direct approaches were not rehearsed which perhaps alludes to City predominantly utilising the flanks against United, with Johnson, Wright-Phillips and Milner likely candidates to be charged with incisive responsibilities.