What would it look like if even a head coach like Guardiola played defensive counterattacking football?
Guardiola himself gave the answer in this Champions League Final in Istanbul.
It looked like a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ederson was in goal, with Mendy, Laporte, Otamendi, and Kyle Walker in the back line. Gündoğan and Rodri sat deeper in midfield, while Bernardo Silva, James Rodríguez, and Mahrez pushed forward, with Jesus as the striker.
That was the starting lineup Guardiola had put out. There was no Aguero and no Sterling. It looked extremely conservative.
But once the match truly began, everyone had to admit that the old master was still the old master.
Even while using conservative tactics, Guardiola could still come up with something fresh.
Bernardo Silva and James Rodríguez were pushed right to the front. The two technically gifted midfielders looked like a strike partnership, while Jesus and Mahrez, the forwards, were instead stationed on the wings.
Thus, from the very start, everyone was astonished to see Bernardo Silva and James Rodríguez pressing high against Real Madrid's back line, while Jesus and Mahrez focused on restricting Carvajal and Ferland Mendy.
With the two technical players pressing furthest forward, their task was not merely to apply pressure. More importantly, they were to avoid Real Madrid's midfield and, upon receiving the ball, immediately send it forward, allowing Jesus and Mahrez on the wings to attack Real Madrid's defensive line.
Clearly, Guardiola knew full well that Man City could not win a midfield battle against Real Madrid.
Frenkie de Jong, Kanté, and De Bruyne had already forged a mature midfield trio. This combination could be called the strongest midfield in world football today. They were capable at both ends, highly creative, excellent at keeping possession, and outstanding at pressing.
At the very least, Kanté, who