Carlo Ancelotti says Manchester City’s tactical flexibility makes them such a dangerous side to play against, as he described Pep Guardiola’s approach as having ‘no identity’. Speaking ahead of the game, Ancelotti was full of praise for City, even if it was disguised by his ‘no identity’ comment.
Carlo Ancelotti said: “I would like to talk about Manchester City. Manchester City are a fantastic team but they have no clear identity. Sometimes they build up with three, sometimes with two, sometimes their right back goes to play as a holding midfielder. They have clear principles. That is the difference. Sometimes they don’t play with a centre-forward, they play with a No.10 as a centre-forward, so the identity of Manchester City is not clear. If they had a clear identity you would be more able to manage their shape, but the fact is they change their shape. What doesn’t change is their principles of keeping the ball, having possession and to show the quality they have. The principles never change.”
