Both Pep Guardiola and Arne Slot agree that Manchester City's 3-0 win over Liverpool was decided in one-on-one disputes, but not in the usual way that the term is understood. The problem lies in tactics and techniques, not physical strength or simply desire.
"Gunners can easily win in the challenges if their plans and tactics are effective. We have a lot of difficulties when they push too many players into the central area. We are constantly missing one or two players in midfield," Slot admitted.
Guardiola deliberately applied that tactic to control the game, after emphasizing to his players the importance of one-on-one situations.
"We have talked about this a lot in the past two or three days. It's not just about getting the ball back, but also about preventing Liverpool from getting it back," said the Spanish captain.
"In the disputes, everyone thinks about how to steal the ball from the opponent. But what about when I was the one who kept the ball? When I was approached, I still kept the ball and passed another line. It was also a successful dispute," Guardiola added.
From the first minute, there was a clear example for this. Bernardo Silva, in a face-to-face position with his team's goal, was approached by the opponent from behind. But somehow, Bernardo managed to escape the siege and pass the ball to Erling Haaland from a seemingly impossible position.
In just a few seconds, Man City moved smoothly, approaching Liverpool's goal and getting the ball where they wanted - under Jeremy Doku.
In the middle of the first half, another example appeared. In that situation, it seemed unimaginable that Bernardo could turn around to escape the pressing before passing the ball accurately into Haaland's chest, but he still could. And as a repeat scenario, Doku escaped, continuing to become a spearhead to stir up Liverpool's defense.
Bernardo's biggest bright spot is his ability to escape pressing and handle in tight spaces. In the crowded midfield area, he always knows how to receive the ball in a favorable position, rotate and rotate the ball for his teammates more effectively than anyone else. Despite being often deployed deep in Man City's formation, Bernardo was still the player who made the most accurate passes to the final third of the pitch - the deciding factor of every match.
Even in the second half, when Slot adjusted the squad, replacing Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike to take a break to add personnel in midfield to cope with the pressure from City, Bernardo continued to make a strong impression. There was a moment right after the 60th minute that clearly showed that.
At first glance, the situation seemed simple - just a ball possession, creating a bit of space before passing back. But it caused the Etihad to explode, because at a time when Liverpool pressed fiercely, Bernardo was still calm and delicate enough to control the ball in his own way. He, as usual, can "etect" the rhythm of the game and grasp it first of all.
"The way we played today, he was a master. accretion, possession, increase and decelerate, positioning intuition, situation control - all are perfect. He is one of the smartest players I have ever worked with," Guardiola said after the match.
Not long ago, many people still questioned whether Bernardo Silva's peak was behind. While Liverpool were criticised for being "slow" after the defeat, the Portuguese midfielder himself had to endure similar doubts for much of last season.
