▪ Possession can be a form of defence

▪ Experimenting with a double number 10/false 9 attack.

▪ Pace and quality outwide, to offer an outlet, free up space for De Bruyne and Messi but also to allow Sterling and Mbappe to cut in and get in behind (defences).

▪ Guardiola team template, mostly Manchester City players, appears to be 4 2 3 1 but can be 4 1 4 1, full of skillful players on the ball but with the protection of Rodri as a defensive midfielder.

▪ Kept shape well, eventually got a foothold on the game and controlled it, but football games are often decided on such fine lines (regardless on how well a team plays).

▪ Van Dijk, Iniesta and Keita broughy on as subs (moved Stones to left back, having started the inform duo of Dias and Stones).

▪ Need to find outballs a bit easier, was pressed well, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Cancelo, Alba, Mbappe and Sterling offer this with either quality on the ball or tricky out wide (or to cut in with Messi).

▪ A win and clean sheet in my first game online against someone with a higher rank, although, despite a near perfect performance in terms of possession and restricting the opposition to only one shot on target, I rode my luck once or twice, and I therefore want to create a few more chances and get another goal or two to make the win more secure, but my game management (slowing the game down a bit, keeping the ball, pressing well etc.) saw it out.

▪ Respect to my opponent, for a good game, and a tough one at that.