Beesotted contributors The Gowler and Paul Kowalczyk (@BeesBreakdown) give us the tactical and statistical lowdown of Brentford’s loss against Manchester City.
Thomas Frank deployed a very similar starting XI to the Spurs match, but with Reguilon getting his first start for the Bees. In a 3-5-2, Collins, Pinnock, and Mee started as the centrebacks with Roerslev and Reguilon the wingbacks. Thomas Frank deployed Jensen, Nørgaard, and Janelt as the midfield trio with Toney and Maupay the striker pairing. No Josh Dasilva in the squad as he suffered a significant knee injury that will require surgery.
Pep Guardiola’s expensive Manchester City side saw Haaland return into the starting XI. Pep’s 4-1-4-1 had Gvardiol, Ake, Dias, and Walker on the backline. Rodri deployed as the defensive midfielder, while Foden, Alvarez, De Bruyne, and Silva fluidly floated around the pitch. Manchester City’s embarrassment of riches saw 100 million pound signing Jack Grealish waste away on the bench.
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Quick Stats:
Possession: Brentford 28% – 72% Manchester City
xG: Brentford 1.04 – 2.09 Manchester City
xGOT: Brentford 1.03- 4.35 Manchester City
Shots: Brentford 9 – 25 Manchester City
Shots on Target: Brentford 3 – 15 Manchester City
Clearances: Brentford 31 – 23 Manchester City
PPDA: Brentford 26.00 – 10.06 Manchester City
Other Brentford stats:
Interceptions: 11
Aerial duels won: 15 (56%)
Summary
Brentford trusted their compact low block would help limit City’s chances and force long range shots. This proved to work, but even City’s long-range efforts were on target, with 8 shots on target outside the box amounting to 1.80 post shot xG (PSxG). Those 8 shots on target from outside the box only totaled to 0.23 xG, so Manchester City displayed some phenomenal finishing.
City recorded their highest PSxG all season at 4.35 while only having 2.09 xG. This was also the biggest overperformance for Manchester City’s PSxG-xG at +2.26, signaling Manchester City’s best shooting performance of the season.
Flekken clearly had his best performance of the season, which Bees fans will hope to see carryover into the upcoming fixtures. Flekken had 12 saves, 1 assist, and his best PSxG +/- on the season. The Bees will need more performances like this from Flekken going forward.
Brentford’s change to less pressing and more settling into their low block did cause Manchester City trouble, but their clever movement opened up some dangerous opportunities. The Bees found some success of their own on set plays, using some of their typical corner routines, but failed to put it all together.
