The top two teams of the Premier League met for a clash that could have large implications on where the title ends up in May. With Manchester City behind by three points entering the match, they hoped to overtake first place from the Cinderella story of Leicester. The Foxes, who were in a relegation battle this time last year, have soared to the top of the Premier League through their direct attacking play and an organized team defense instilled by Claudio Ranieri.

With a 3rd minute goal from Robert Huth off a set-piece, Leicester were able to do what they do best throughout the match as the Citizens chased the game. They frustrated Manchester City all match with their solid defensive organization, while also providing goal threats through high speed counter attacks and set pieces.

Leicester fielded an expected starting XI for the match in a 4-4-2 formation. The away side had used a 4-1-4-1 in previous games against tougher opposition, including when they faced Manchester City back in December. However, Tinkerman Ranieri decided to continue with the 4-4-2 that saw Leicester defeat Klopp’s Liverpool over midweek.

Manuel Pellegrini had his team play in a 4-2-3-1. Injuries to players such as Kevin De Bruyne and Jesus Navas meant Fabian Delph and Raheem Sterling were inserted into the starting selection. Nigerian youngster Kelechi Iheanacho was relegated to the substitutes bench.

Leicester Attacking Approach

The opening minutes of the match saw an attacking spell from Leicester inside of Manchester City’s half, in which they targeted their center forwards through crosses. After a punch out by Hart, Riyad Mahrez was found in a 2v1 situation along the byline after beating both players on the dribble. The subsequent free kick was scored by Robert Huth in a routine that was undoubtedly planned on the training ground.

What was notable about the 2v1 situation was who he was pinned up against. In addition to Aleksander Kolarov, Fabian Delph was slotted to the left side of the attacking three tasked with the responsibility of limiting the threat of Mahrez. Normally a central midfielder by trade, the positioning of Delph out wide is reflective of how Leicester manage to beat teams with much larger bank accounts and the individual ability of Riyad Mahrez.

Claudio Ranieri understands the qualitative advantage that both Mahrez and Vardy possess oftentimes when it comes to their speed and 1v1 ability. By basing his team’s attacking approach off of their individual strengths, chances in turn can be created for both themselves and their teammates. This can explain why Vardy and Mahrez have performed so well over the course of the season.

The ability that Mahrez in particular has when he is on dribble is such that opposition managers are now adjusting their tactics to combat the threat he poses. This sort of attention is given to few players across the world and is reflective of the rapid rise of the Algerian in the footballing ranks. To say he is world-class (in the truest definition of the word) I think is an overstatement at this time, but Mahrez will end up being classed in the tier or two below world class if he can consistently produce these kind of performances in the following seasons.

The attacking approach that Leicester employed was the same that they have employed throughout the whole season. The Foxes thrive from an attacking standpoint on the counterattack at incredibly high tempos. When the ball is recovered, the first action from a midfield player or a forward is typically a dribble forward. From there, there are at least three runners in support, which ensures the forwards are not isolated in attack.

A perfect example of this in action was Leicester’s second goal scored by Mahrez. Taking advantage of the poor defensive transitions from the hosts, N’Golo Kante’s direct dribbling created space for Mahrez, who held off a challenge and cleverly dribbled past Demichelis to fire a shot past Joe Hart.

If a player cannot dribble, then the next option is to find the forwards with long passes. The type of these long passes can vary, as some go in behind the defense while others are to be headed on or to win the second ball as seen in Schmeichel’s goal kicks. Either way, Leicester are direct in their attacking play. They are the sort of team that is designed to get away results against teams that value ball possession and more controlled tempos such as Manchester City.

For the first 30 minutes, the pace of the game was undeniably frantic. Leicester appeared completely at peace with this pattern of the match, as it played into their strategy. While much is discussed about Leicester’s attacking transitions, their defensive transitions throughout the whole game were equally impressive, with the midfield and forwards tracking back quickly to prevent Manchester City from exposing any open spaces.

Manchester City unable to break through Leicester’s Compactness

Since Leicester’s defensive transitions were impressive, Manchester City effectively had no threatening counter attacks. At the beginning of the season, Leicester had difficulties with keeping clean sheets, winning matches purely by outscoring them. Now, most of the their defensive weaknesses have been patched up, with five clean sheets in the past seven for Ranieri’s team.

This defensive improvement is thanks to a greater focus on Leicester’s team shape. In their 4-4-2, there was little space in between the lines of Leicester thanks to the compact structure. If Kante went forward to pressure the ball, Drinkwater would drop in between the lines to prevent Leicester from being exposed and flattened out, and vice versa.

In addition, Okazaki and Vardy tracked backed impressively to help out with Leicester’s defensive efforts and add further reinforcements in the center. All in all, Leicester’s 4-4-2 structure was compact from both a vertical and horizontal standpoint. On occasion, Vardy would opt to stay higher while Okazaki dropped back, making the defensive shape a 4-4-1-1.

David Silva and Sterling had difficulty getting into the game as a result. The pair of them would either drop into midfield or go wide to try and establish themselves into the game. This led to poor central access and Leicester outnumbering City in the center. In a team that values possession as much as Manchester City, it is important to establish control in the center so optimal ball circulation can take place in the build-up and penetrative diagonal passes are allowed to take place for chance creation around the penalty area. This did not occur for the Citizens, and they subsequently struggled on the day to produce anything substantial.

Consequently, any attacking momentum generated by City was through the wings. Overlapping runs from fullbacks Kolarov and Zabaleta provided crosses into the center, but Aguero was unable to get on the end of any of them and aerially beat Huth and Morgan.

This wing focus led to a shift into a 4-2-2-2 in the 52nd minute after Mahrez’s goal. Fernando went on for Toure, while Kelechi Iheanacho went up top alongside Aguero, pushing Sterling out to the left where Fabian Delph previously was.

Some combinations occurred in the following minutes, but any team spirit remaining was demoralized after Robert Huth again scored from a set-piece in the 60th minute to cap off a victory for Leicester. Sergio Aguero added a consolation goal in minute 87 off a cross, again showing the emphasis on wide play Pellegrini had in the latter stages of the game.

Conclusion

This match confirms that Leicester have what it takes to win the Premier League title. From an excitement factor, it definitely pleases the neutral fans. However from a football standpoint, it makes sense to me. Since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson from Manchester United, most of the Premier League teams have been based on assembling a group of individuals together than play best to win on Saturday. In the short term life span of Premier League managers, it makes sense if you’re only looking at the following weeks.

What Ranieri has done at Leicester is remarkable compared his peers. He has a created a collective group mentality and way of playing that every player is behind at Leicester. While the top clubs have more star power, Leicester has managed to survive at the top this season because of the teamwork and unity at the club. This result symbolizes the power of collectivism in football. For all the talk about tactics and getting the best out of individuals, sometimes the best approach at a club is form a group culture.

Leicester may be criticized for their direct play, but they are a reminder that there is no “right way” of winning. I had written off the Foxes before the start of the season, projecting them to finish second to last and be relegated. Ranieri has made a fool out of me in the process, as he has built a machine that is greater than the sum of its parts.

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