▪ With it being a Guardiola team there is obviously emphasis on a high possession game, especially with having players of such high quality and ones who can keep the ball in most parts of the pitch, but pacey wide forwards offer an out ball or more ‘difect’ route when needs be (also Ederson’s top distribution is useful at times as well).

▪ Some of these teams can be borderline 4 1 4 1 or 4 5 1 in theory, in actual ‘reality’, seeing Guardiola being more ‘pragmatic’ this season (Manchester City have the best defence in the league and best defensive Xgc).

▪ A better shape, a team that defends as a team and attacks as team helps to do that, that with making less individual mistakes or ‘ideally’ not making any (significant) ones.

▪ The option of Cancelo as a left back is useful as he is right footed and changes the angle, especially against left footed wide forwards, and the Ancellotti 3 and a half at the back (3 centre backs, 1 playing as effectively playing as centre back/right back, it at least being a centre back playing at full back at times offer more protection).