WHAT WE LEARNED
■ RUBEN DIAS HAS TRANSFORMED CITY’S BIG GAME TACTICS
IN the first half hour of this end-to-end game, Ruben Dias blocked a fierce goalbound Marcus Rashford shot with a superb sliding tackle and made vital last-man interceptions to stop United’s counterattacking. His determination was also shown in John Stones, who was throwing himself into tackles to preserve City’s goal.
The pair conceded their first goal together in stoppage time at Chelsea in more than 800 minutes, but that setback only appeared to galvanise a pair who have improved the defence so much in such a short space of time. Their record stands at one goal against in 900 minutes, and Guardiola knows he can now trust his attackers to pile forward knowing there will be a solid back four behind them. How times change.
■ CITY RELISH SEMI-FINAL PRESSURE
LAST time these sides met for that dreary draw in December, the objective for both sides was ‘must not lose’. This time the knockout nature of the semi-final made it a ‘must win’. So an attacking side was named by Pep Guardiola – albeit one that could transition to a defensive shape easily – and the intent shown reflected the confidence in both sides that was lacking in December.
“The mood is good, always when you win games it’s better for the next one,” Guardiola said pre-match, which might have explained why he was happier to encourage his side to push forward more.
With so many players out, momentum was perhaps his best weapon to combat any fatigue in the second half. Except that fatigue didn’t come, and Guardiola’s tactical plan after the break was perfect to nullify the United threats and expose their set-piece weaknesses. It was a performance that cemented City’s status as big stage experts in domestic football - on and off the pitch.
■ KEVIN DE BRUYNE REACTS TO FERNANDES CHALLENGE
FOR arguably the first time there is a real threat to Kevin de Bruyne’s status as the best midfielder in the Premier League. He has been on top form since coming back from his long-term injury at the end of 2018, winning a Premier League title, FA Cup, two Carabao Cups and a hatful of personal awards.
But now, Bruno Fernandes has shown his own credentials to take De Bruyne’s PFA Player of the Year award after a sensational first year in the Premier League. The tactics of Pep Guardiola and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in December’s dull draw minimised the impact Fernandes or De Bruyne could have on the game, but this meeting was far more suited to the pair’s attacking capabilities.
And in the opening 13 minutes, Fernandes had forced a good save from Steffen and De Bruyne fired against the post from outside the area.
De Bruyne was rising to the challenge of a contender to his status as best in the league, and was central to anything City did in United’s half.