Manchester City 3-1 Leicester City: An important lesson for the Foxes

An eleven game unbeaten streak finally came to an end for Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City with a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola’s men dismantled the in-form Foxes with an impressive degree of comfort.

The Citizens’ game plan, as revealed by Riyad Mahrez later on, was to force the ball wide to get the wingers into one-v-one situations. This left Mahrez against Ben Chilwell Raheem Sterling against Ricardo Pereira.

It was from these scenarios that City drew level, after going behind from an immaculate counter-attack finished off by Jamie Vardy. It was Kevin De Bruyne who was the pivotal figure in the home side’s success, with his close positioning to Mahrez handing the hosts a wide numerical superiority.

The Belgian was able to play wide because of a rotation in positions with Kyle Walker. Guardiola told Walker to push into a central area when City had possession, forcing Harvey Barnes to come inside, thereby facilitating a run from De Bruyne.

The movement allowed two of the league’s best playmakers to dictate play, with enough space and time to be impactful.

Leicester were tactically inferior. The reliable 4-1-4-1 that has been so rewarding was incorrect for the deep-block Rodgers opted for, either because of personnel or positioning.

When operating in a compact, deep-block – similar to the one Everton played against Leicester at the King Power Stadium – Rodgers shouldn’t play two progressive midfielders (James Maddison and Youri Tielemans), seeing as defensive security is more important.

It might sound like a negative tactic, but playing Hamza Choudhury would have suited the system better. This would have meant less attacking intent and progression of the ball through the midfield, but there were limited opportunities to do either of those throughout the game anyway.

It does go against the philosophy that Rodgers has instilled, but in games of this nature, when you know you could be limited to only defensive duties, the attacking 4-1-4-1 should’ve have been replaced with either a 4-2-3-1 or a defensive five that has been used to close games out.

When a plan doesn’t go as expected, adapting accordingly is important, and while Rodgers did change the personnel in the middle of the park – replacing Tielemans with Dennis Praet – it was too late.

The midfield balance wasn’t suited to the scenario. Rodgers attempted to make the two talented ball-players surrender their creativity for a more pragmatic approach. Given that neither Maddison or Tielemans were able to operate in City’s final third, it seemed a waste of the defensive abilities the bench had on offer.

Regardless, the use of a 4-1-4-1 displayed an optimistic and attacking mindset. There’s belief that Leicester can play with style at the home of one of Europe’s best clubs, which is a testament to how far the team has progressed. Realistically, the game against City was always going to be difficult and we have to accept that and move on.

Next up for Leicester is an uphill task in the form of Liverpool – the unbeaten league leaders. Many of the Leicester faithful will hope the home advantage can help but there’s only so much that aspect of the game can do.

Leicester, it has to be said, would need a Boxing Day miracle.