#2 Both teams’ willingness to play out from the back
Barcelona have, for a while now, been expert proponents of playing the ball from the back and press the opposition’s defence. Thus, Guardiola would’ve been expected to adopt a more cautious approach in order to nullify this advantage.
However, the Manchester City manager opted to trust the technical prowess of his defenders and instructed them to play their way out of trouble. City’s defence, as well as Bravo in goal, were able to quite comfortably play short passes between themselves, creating openings to take the ball into the attacking half.
Barca, also played their way out the back, which City were unable to contain with their rather languid pressing approach.
Edited by Staff Editor