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Pep Guardiola: Playing the Cruyff way

By Jason Bardwell

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City gives his team instructions as Mikel Arteta, Manchester City coach looks on during the Manchester City Training Session at the Etihad Stadium on October 16, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City gives his team instructions as Mikel Arteta, Manchester City coach looks on during the Manchester City Training Session at the Etihad Stadium on October 16, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /
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Third Man?

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 14: Gabriel Jesus of Mnchester City celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Stoke City at Etihad Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 14: Gabriel Jesus of Mnchester City celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Stoke City at Etihad Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

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Okay, so I have mentioned the ‘third man’ a couple of times now. What am I talking about? Well it’s all about creating space, keeping defenders honest and pulling them around the pitch.

The first man has the ball with the second man looking and running into space. The third man moves around into space and that is where the ball should always end up. Example of that can also be found with Saturdays game clearly with Manchester City’s first goal.

Kevin DeBruyne was the first man while the second man, Walker, identified and ran into space. While this is going on and drawing the defenders and goalkeepers attention, Jesus is running behind, first dropping off and then across the defender. His foot is where the ball ends up and the Brazilian finishes well.

A slightly more elaborate example is David Silva’s goal. Jesus gets the ball just outside the box. Instantly the Stoke defenders turn to him, he releases into the path of Leroy Sane who gambled on the run. Starting his run before Jesus even gets the ball, leaves the defender trailing. A cross to Raheem, who is in space but maybe not liking the angle, is where the ball should end up. Passing to Silva is probably one more pass than needed, but resulted in the goal.