2018/19 Community Shield: 3 tactics Maurizio Sarri could employ to defeat Manchester City

#1 By playing on the break

Manchester City are very susceptible to quick breakaways

Undoubtedly the best option for Maurizio Sarri to employ, Manchester City's possession style of play means they employ an extremely high defensive line, with centre-backs Otamendi and John Stones effectively becoming midfielders.

The high line employed by the Citizens means they are extremely vulnerable to being caught out on the break, and two out of Manchester City's three domestic losses last season came off the back of counter-attacking teams who exploited the spaces left by City, as Wigan and Liverpool employed quick pressing and counter-attacking tactics to beat City.

Liverpool's case is particularly illustrative, as they used the speed of their terrific front three to pressure City defenders into getting caught out in high lines and forcing them into errors en route inflicting their first domestic loss in the 4-3 victory at Anfield. Klopp also employed similar tactics to devastating effect in their 3-0 mauling of City in their Champions League first leg quarter-final victory.

At Chelsea, Sarri has comparably effective frontmen, albeit on a less productive level to Liverpool's front three. In Willian, Pedro and the unavailable Hazard, Sarri has speedsters who could trouble the City defense when they are caught out of position, and with the long-range passing of Fabregas to bypass the City midfield and give the front men space to run in behind, Chelsea have the arsenal to truly outclass the City rearguard.