In a tactical masterstroke that left football pundits in awe, Pep Guardiola’s innovative use of John Stones in the No 10 role played a crucial part in Manchester City’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United in the recent derby. Jamie Carragher, offering insightful analysis on Monday Night Football, hailed Guardiola’s unconventional strategy as revolutionary and emphasized how Stones’ advanced positioning disrupted the traditional expectations of a center-back.
Stones’ Remarkable Transition
Known for his proficiency on the ball, John Stones has frequently ventured into midfield under Guardiola’s guidance. However, in the Manchester derby, his role transcended the norm, with Carragher describing the shift as something unprecedented in English football history. Carragher drew comparisons to legendary defenders like Alan Hansen, Franco Baresi, and Rio Ferdinand, highlighting Stones’ unique ability to not only come out with the ball but also make purposeful runs.
“When you look at his touch map from the Manchester United game, you see his touches are all over,” Carragher explained, noting that Stones’ influence extended far beyond his customary defensive duties. In a surprising statistic, Stones made 39 passes in the final third during the game, marking a significant departure from his usual playing style.
Exploiting Tactical Opportunities
Carragher delved into Guardiola’s tactical acumen, explaining how Stones exploited the space created by Manchester United’s man-marking system. By deploying Bernardo Silva and Kevin de Bruyne to drag United’s central midfielders, Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo, into wider areas, Guardiola created a gap centrally that Stones ingeniously filled.
“The space against Manchester United, every time they play Manchester City, is there, and it’s always about how Pep Guardiola can utilize that space. They were constantly moving Manchester United around the pitch,” Carragher detailed. He highlighted the distance between Casemiro and Mainoo, showcasing the effectiveness of Guardiola’s strategy in unsettling the opposition’s defensive structure.
Stones’ Role as a Playmaker
Contrary to conventional expectations of a center-back, Stones didn’t merely occupy a space; he actively participated in running the game from the No 10 position. Carragher emphasized that Stones wasn’t just a body in that role but actively influenced the flow of the game, showcasing a level of versatility rarely witnessed in English football.
The analysis pinpointed specific moments during the match where Stones, positioned as a No 10, played a pivotal role in exploiting the spaces created by United’s tactical decisions. Carragher illustrated instances where Stones dragged defenders out of position, demonstrating the effectiveness of Guardiola’s tactical approach.
A Unique Innovation
In concluding his analysis, Carragher termed Guardiola’s use of John Stones in the No 10 position as “unique” in English football. The tactical innovation showcased the adaptability and creativity inherent in Guardiola’s managerial approach, providing further evidence of the evolution of football tactics under his stewardship at Manchester City. The victory over Manchester United not only highlighted City’s supremacy in the derby but also served as a testament to the groundbreaking strategies employed by one of football’s most revered tacticians.
