visiting team (sports)
Manchester City
The lineup featured a backline manned by Akanji, Ake, and Ruben Dias, with Stones partnering Rodri at the back, Mahrez, De Bruyne, Gündogan, and Grealish in midfield, and Haaland leading the way up front. Hosts Southampton played a 433 formation with Bella-Kotchap, Bednarek and Walker-peters at the back, Elyounoussi, Ward-Prowse and Lavia in midfield and Walcott, Alcaraz and Sulemana up front.
(The starting lineup has been introduced.)
As soon as the game started.
Manchester City
They attacked aggressively, pushing intensively in the middle of the field, with Grealish on the left trying to break through on the side and making several crosses, while Southampton pressed upfield, recovering quickly into the penalty area, and counter-attacking with considerable success.
As Southampton press effectively up front
Manchester City
The ball out of the back became cautious and the first half took longer until near the end of the half when De Bruyne had a chance down the left and crossed in time for Haaland to drive through the middle of the pitch.
Manchester City
Taking a 1-0 lead.
In the second half, Southampton tried to counterattack but City's midfield defense was solid, Southampton's midfield line moved forward and City then seized the opportunity when De Bruyne took the ball in the middle, Grealish accelerated from the left and added a shot on goal to make it 2-0.
Manchester City
Utilizing Grealish and De Bruyne's movement down the left side of the field, several chances were created. 3-0 in the 67th minute when De Bruyne's cross from the center of the field was picked out by Grealish and Haaland hung upside down nine yards outside the box.
Southampton pulled one back on 72 minutes but it was 4-1 on 74 minutes when De Bruyne burst into the box, was fouled and gained 12 yards and substitute Alvarez scored the penalty.
For the remainder of the game, City controlled possession and Southampton stopped forcing their way to a 1-4 away win.
This game saw City create chances through Grealish and De Bruyne moving down the left, with the midfield allowing De Bruyne to move freely to either side, Gündogan controlling in the middle and Stones assisting at the back, with Ake supporting on the ball at the right time, a tactic which has worked well of late, and which is expected to work in the upcoming UEFA Champions League match against Bayern. The game is expected to play a role in the upcoming Champions League match against Bayern.
