Leeds United must force Manchester City to drop deep to exploit any potential 'weaknesses' in Pep Guardiola's side. The Premier League champions are famous for dictating play in the opposition's half of the pitch, and were in scintilating form in front of goal in their 4-3 Champions League semi-final first leg win against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
But if that performance struck fear into Leeds' fans' hearts ahead of Saturday night's Premier League clash with Kevin de Bruyne and Co at Elland Road, then there was some hope to be had in the seven-goal thriller. City uncharacteristcally allowed Madrid back into the game despite hold a two-goal lead three times in the game.
And while Jesse Marsch may not be able to turn to the likes of Karim Benzema or Vinicius Junior when the two sides meet, former Real Madrid and Liverpool star Steve McManaman highlighted some key areas which Leeds could look to exploit. Of course, it relies in keeping them out at the other end, but with just five goals conceded in their last five, Marsch has addressed this key factor for the Whites.
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"You never really accuse Manchester City of being naive, but they were at times," said McManaman, covering the Champions League game for BT Sport. "When they were 2-0 up and 3-1 up, 4-2 up, they should have never let Real Madrid back into the game and I don’t know what it was, whether they were over confident because they were so far ahead and so superior, but when they went two goals ahead, they started to drop deep.
"Even the penalty, Madrid had a chance prior to that and you are thinking, how has that happened because City should be controlling the game. As soon as it went to 4-2, they should have tried to defend their lead.
"We have all been in that situation and have experienced that shift in momentum, when you are way on top of a game and you think this is easy, and then something happens whether it is a mistake or a chance and you can feel the shift changing, then suddenly it is backs to the wall and you are thinking, how have we got here?
"It didn’t happen here once, it happened three times and I don’t know why Manchester City decided to drop off and allow Real Madrid to come on to them. Because, whenever Manchester City went forward, they dominated and created so many chances, you’re then thinking just manage the game, two goals up, just manage the game, but they didn’t."
Forcing City to drop deep and curb their chances will be a tough task. but with Kalvin Phillips back in the starting XI, and the likes of Raphinha and Dan James able to stretch the game, perhaps this offers just a glimmer of hope. And you can be sure Marsch will have a gameplan ready for the Elland Road showdown.
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