FA Cup: 3 ways Manchester City can engineer Chelsea revenge

Less than a fortnight after a 1-0 defeat that could turn out to be crucial to the Premier League title race, Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini once again welcomes the man that has so far proven to be his nemesis to The Etihad stadium, as Jose Mourinho and his Chelsea side travel to face City in the FA Cup.

Putting aside his penchant for mind games for 90 minutes, Mourinho outwitted Pellegrini in the league fixture to deliver a tactical masterclass that helped his side to the top of the Premier League table.

City’s Chilean boss must surely have been back to the drawing board since that fixture, searching for solutions to the problems that Chelsea posed his side. Here are three things that Pellegrini should look at doing this weekend if City are to sustain their fight for silverware on four fronts.

1. Deal with Branislav Ivanovic:

One of the most obvious flaws in City’s display in the previous fixture was their failure to deal with Branislav Ivanovic on Chelsea’s right hand side. In the absence of Samir Nasri, David Silva has been playing on from the left hand side with a flexible position that allows him to drift, but a redeployment could be necessary tomorrow.

The lack of defence along City’s left side cost them dearly last time, with Ivanovic scoring the only goal of the game. The screenshot above shows the space that he was afforded moments before the goal. Whilst Alex Kolarov initially comes out to him as he receives the ball here, the movement of Eden Hazard in anticipation of Ivanovic’s ball down the line drags Nastasic into a wide area and forces Kolarov to cover centrally, leaving Ivanovic unmarked to sweep home a goal that would not have happened had the side’s left midfielder been performing his defensive duties.

Silva ‘s Heat Map above shows that he rarely stuck to his left side position, roaming across the pitch. To keep him rigidly on the left would be a waste of his talents, but allowing him to roam risks leaving the side’s left back exposed once again.

Ivanovic Headed Duels

Even if Silva were to keep his position, there are areas that his defensive capabilities just cannot deal with. The main one of these is the seven inch height difference between him and Ivanovic. Chelsea aimed a number of goal kicks and long balls at Ivanovic the last time these sides met, and it may provide the side with more balance and defensive solidity if Pellegrini were to consider a left hand partnership of Kolarov in front of Gael Clichy.

2. Sort Out Central Midfield

The other main area that cost City in the last game was their central midfield. Whilst Chelsea performed a good tactical job on Yaya Toure by crowding the midfielder out, this was made all the more easier by the fact that Toure was alongside regular centre back Martin Demichelis in midfield. Demichelis – whose selection in itself was a slap in the face to the likes of Jack Rodwell, Javi Garcia and James Milner – performed poorly and will surely not be asked to reprise his role again.

The Argentine was shown up as the out of position centre back that he was during the game, with his difficulties in the position exacerbated by the athletic attributes of the youthful Chelsea attack that he faced. Whilst he has played in midfield on occasion before, he is not the man to do so against a side that can counter attack as swiftly as Chelsea. The screenshot above came just before a Ramires chance prior to the opening goal and shows Chelsea’s midfield pouring forward with Demichelis trailing in their wake.

Demichelis Tackles

He attempted 15 tackles during the game, completing just five of them, and was comprehensively given the runaround by Chelsea’s youthful physical midfield.

It was no surprise to see Demichelis replaced by James Milner for last weekend’s game with Norwich City and the England man should be given the chance to continue in the position tomorrow.

Milner Take Ons V Norwich

Physically able to cope better with the likes of Willian and Nemaja Matic in midfield, Milner provides a better threat going forward. Whilst he is sometimes a target for derision on the international stage, and has in many ways become a victim of his own versatility, it is important to remember that Milner took the league by storm in central midfield for Aston Villa and is an able deputy for Fernandino. He completed five take ons in attacking areas against Norwich and can help support Toure against Chelsea.

Chelsea isolated Toure last time the sides met, largely due to Demichelis taking up deep positions far apart from his partner.

Most of his passes took place within City’s half during that game, in stark contrast to Milner against Norwich. While you would expect a deeper pass map against a team such as Norwich, the difference should not be so stark. City had almost 60% of the ball against Chelsea and were camped in their half for much of the game as Chelsea soaked up pressure and hit them on the break. Milner provides a better presence going forward to hurt Chelsea and is also better equipped to go stride for stride with their midfield in a defensive sense.

3. Play One Up Front?

A feature of City’s play this season has been their strike partnership of Alvaro Negredo and Sergio Aguero. However Pellegrini may be tempted to alter his shape for the visit of Chelsea. Finding room for both men is important in the long term, but pragmatically Pellegrini should change it tomorrow. Aguero is injured, whilst Negredo appears to be feeling the effects of the shoulder injury picked up at West Ham.

Chelsea’s Midfield & Defence Crowded Dzeko and Negredo Out In The Last Fixture By Getting Men Deep and Behind The Ball

The lack of fitness and form of the strikers, combined with Chelsea’s tactics in the last game, make one up front a logical step. It would allow Silva to roam without having to think about his defensive roles and add numbers to central midfield areas. Last time out, Chelsea successfully snuffed out City’s strike duo by crowding them out in central areas through use of two deep holding players in front of the back four.

City Action Areas v Chelsea

City created little with their rigid fixation with central areas and could achieve a more balanced side with a five man midfield. Silva’s movement could draw Chelsea’s players away from the positions in which they were so comfortable two weeks ago. City are not likely to get any joy by getting their forwards in behind Chelsea given the deep line Mourinho employed last time, meaning that a five man midfield may have more impact.

Should Chelsea Play One Up Front Then Dzeko Could Be The Logical Choice