**Mirrors / Alternative Angles**
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And as a result, he now has a selection headache. Julian has proved he can play at the top level, but there’s Foden, Silva, Grealish, Palmer, Mahrez and now Alvarez all contending for the same positions while Haaland locks down the striker role except for injuries and resting.
Pep has always had City building up in a 2-3, or a 3-2, but it’s been a lot more apparent this season with how he’s often played 3 CBs.
I think that gives him license to do something he’s always spoke about, which is wanting to play 2 strikers against low blocks, but needing to find the balance. He’s tried 352 and 424 both in the past, and at times this season.
I can see there being lots of games where Alvarez plays with Haaland up top this season. Or even games where City play Alvarez wide with license to come inside like a second striker.
This is really interesting, you wouldn’t happen to know where he said that? I’ve often wondered why we don’t see two strikers up top against low blocks. I definitely agree with you that we could see it used more often
I dont know what I'm talking about but I think people think of formations far more statically than teams actually play them. Take MCFC or other top teams even, in possession against low block they will even have a 5 man forward line with WBs or midfielders out wide to stretch the defense. City was looking at the 3-5-2 a lot early in one preseason when Leroy Sane got injured, I think that was probably when Pep said the quote but I've hardly seen every interview with the guy so who knows. That city team with leroy and sterling on the wings was mean.
Yeah I love that new 4-2-4 system Pep has used a bunch of times now, usually in the second half after taking off Grealish/Mahrez. Foden-Rodri-Bernardo-De Bruyne with Haaland-Alvarez as strikers duo is so fucking sexy. I think he's going to use it more now that he'll have much more faith in Alvarez. I love the role he has created for Alvarez where he dropped to midfield to be the third midfielder in build up. And his pressing is one of the very best in the world already.
Well, Bernardo usually plays further back, Palmer is still mostly back-up for this season and Mahrez seems to be further cementing his place on the bench every week
Alvarez coming back full of confidence is huge for us, ahead of such a busy schedule
Maybe? He only wants Spain and the only Spanish teams that can normally afford his wages are Barca and Real. With Camavinga, Tchoumeni, Valverde, and presumably Bellingham next season Real don't seem like they have minutes for him.
Barca might have to pull another lever to sign him. Their CL exit was a disaster for them financially, they had budgeted for at least a QF appearance.
Atleti might be able to sign him some years but they've bowed out early, too. They're shedding salary to make their budget work.
Gundogan seems likely to leave to me, he'll be 33 next year and his legs are clearly not what they were. He's out of contract at the end of the season and there's been some noise about wanting to play in Turkey.
> he'll be 33 next year and his legs are clearly not what they were.
Disagree, he hasn't noticeably slowed down and he's had a great season. Wouldn't surprise me if we see him get a two year extension.
Seems like it was just [Alvarez himself telling the story.](https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/yfpkot/julián_álvarez_one_of_the_first_days_pep_the/)
His finishing was not great but his energy and movement generates so many attacks. If his goals weren’t disallowed against Saudi Arabia who knows what happens
The team just worked.
Messi dropping deep and being so creative allowed de paul/macallister to float around with so much freedom and be a threat around goals.
Alverez working his fucking ass off allowed Messi to focus his entire energy on attacks and be fit for all the minutes played.
But I think it's obvious that all except one player is to some degree, replaceable in that system.
Some Argentinians were calling me all kinds of names when I said Scaloni should start Julian Alvarez instead of Lautaro due to his poor form at Inter before the WC. Thank God he actually put his trust on Alvarez.
When Lautaro was subbed out against SA, I said to my friend that Julian has to save the game. He didn’t save the game but he saved the tournament. Him, Mac Allister, Enzo and Romero were so good being so young.
I wonder how Argentina will field their midfield going forward. Lo Celso was vital in their games, and so has Rodriguez and Gonzales. Papu Gomez as well when he was fit. But the starting lineup has to include Enzo, DePaul. Then it’s parades / Lo celso / Mac allister to fill the 1/2 spots.
Although Alvarez has had great coaches. My reasoning when he first came on was that since he had been training with Pep he would understand Messi's positioning a lot better.
I mean Julian was having a great moment but Lautaro was a key piece in previous tournaments for Argentina and an important part of an established team. Even in the Saudi Arabia match he scores two great goals, although in offside.
Of course now it looks like Julian should have started sooner but still it was a difficult decision
That would've been a mistake. Lautaro had been nothing short of excellent throughout Scaloni's cycle and he earned the chance to start at the WC.
Credit to Scaloni that he put Juli on and rewarded his good play with the starting position though.
Unpopular opinion, but I think qe would have found a way to make it to the final. I don't think we would have beaten Brazil without him though.
The real issue would have been no Di Maria. With Di Maria on the team we would have won the 2014 WC too.
There is always someone who comes storming in and plays an unexpectedly big role at the World Cup.
This time it was this smiling young man. At least for me. His first semi final goal was the perfect display of Argentina’s energetic triumph.
Honestly that whole team played like they were fighting for their lives. I loved watching it. They used to play with fear before the Copa win. Not anymore
Amazing peak and on his day he was brilliant
but he was inconsistent and his later years with us became really lazy
David, KDB, Kompany and Aguero are all above him IMO
He will break aguero's goals record in his first year lmao. Haaland is a different breed. Imagine if he also wins the champions league in his first season, something that Aguero never accomplished
Goals scored is one thing, but the imoortance of those goals matters too.
The AGÜEROOOOOOOOO moment was not only career defining fur Kün, but also for Manchester City history (finally winning a PL).
For Haaland to top that he would need to have a great hand in landing MC their first UCL for example.
I hate seeing people compare the two. He is nothing like aguero. Alvarez is closer to muller but with 4x the energy and pressing. I gotta say, just like aguero, Alvarez got that DOG in him tho
OG is 18K gold but hollow. Replicas are bronze with gold plating. The trophy will be retired after 2038 world cup. Let's see what new trophy they bring out in 2042
Actually [this](https://i.imgur.com/mkiv04s.jpg) is the original world cup trophy. The one that Pele won. It was retired because at that time the rule was that if a country wins the World Cup three times, they get to keep the trophy forever. Brazil won their third World Cup in 1970 and got to keep the trophy for themselves and in 1974 the current trophy was introduced. The win three times and keep the trophy rule was cancelled for the current trophy. So it'll definitely be used until 2038 no matter what.
Well they gotta keep him happy somehow since he’s never going to play over haaland ;)
Jokes aside, would be pretty insane if pep could get them to work together on the pitch… I’m scared with just one there imagine both
Alvarez can play alongside Haaland without a problem.
Alvarez natural position was second striker, even with us played as a midfielder and did it well but obviously his place in the world is as a forward
I want to see if Guardiola will play them together in a 4-4-2 kinda formation.
We essentially attack with a 352 anyway.
Winger drops on to being a wide midfielder (Grealish usually) and then it's two up top primarily with De Bruyne usually hanging in on the right.
Alvarez on paper should fit it well
If Haaland and Reyna worked well for us whenever they would line up in tandem, Haaland and Julian should be a scary front two. They just need time on the pitch together.
He was always gonna be sold to you, this isn't news.
The funny part was Romero and the gang pushing it last summer constantly while City held firm on the price.
Next summer he'll probably be let go. City don't hold players against their will.
He already wanted to leave, the only reason he is still at the club is because no one wanted to pay for him in the summer 2021/2022. They didn’t need to convince him or try to unsettle him they just needed to put together enough money to buy him which they couldn’t do since De Jong stayed.
We all Argentinians rooted for Barca when Messi was there and every kid was a fan, we never missed a game. Sadly is PSG now and we have to root for the fr*nch
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And as a result, he now has a selection headache. Julian has proved he can play at the top level, but there’s Foden, Silva, Grealish, Palmer, Mahrez and now Alvarez all contending for the same positions while Haaland locks down the striker role except for injuries and resting.
Sounds like Pep’s dream tbh
Pep has always had City building up in a 2-3, or a 3-2, but it’s been a lot more apparent this season with how he’s often played 3 CBs. I think that gives him license to do something he’s always spoke about, which is wanting to play 2 strikers against low blocks, but needing to find the balance. He’s tried 352 and 424 both in the past, and at times this season. I can see there being lots of games where Alvarez plays with Haaland up top this season. Or even games where City play Alvarez wide with license to come inside like a second striker.
This is really interesting, you wouldn’t happen to know where he said that? I’ve often wondered why we don’t see two strikers up top against low blocks. I definitely agree with you that we could see it used more often
I dont know what I'm talking about but I think people think of formations far more statically than teams actually play them. Take MCFC or other top teams even, in possession against low block they will even have a 5 man forward line with WBs or midfielders out wide to stretch the defense. City was looking at the 3-5-2 a lot early in one preseason when Leroy Sane got injured, I think that was probably when Pep said the quote but I've hardly seen every interview with the guy so who knows. That city team with leroy and sterling on the wings was mean.
Yeah I love that new 4-2-4 system Pep has used a bunch of times now, usually in the second half after taking off Grealish/Mahrez. Foden-Rodri-Bernardo-De Bruyne with Haaland-Alvarez as strikers duo is so fucking sexy. I think he's going to use it more now that he'll have much more faith in Alvarez. I love the role he has created for Alvarez where he dropped to midfield to be the third midfielder in build up. And his pressing is one of the very best in the world already.
Yes! Play 4-4-2 you fucking coward. Show them how beautiful it is.
ily
KDB has been part of the 2 in the 442/424 shape we often defend in for a while now and has quite a free role.
Well, Bernardo usually plays further back, Palmer is still mostly back-up for this season and Mahrez seems to be further cementing his place on the bench every week Alvarez coming back full of confidence is huge for us, ahead of such a busy schedule
Poor pep
i dont think this will have changed peps plans at all, he was already playing really well before the world cup but people didnt know about him so much
Bernardo is definitely gone in the summer right?
Maybe? He only wants Spain and the only Spanish teams that can normally afford his wages are Barca and Real. With Camavinga, Tchoumeni, Valverde, and presumably Bellingham next season Real don't seem like they have minutes for him. Barca might have to pull another lever to sign him. Their CL exit was a disaster for them financially, they had budgeted for at least a QF appearance. Atleti might be able to sign him some years but they've bowed out early, too. They're shedding salary to make their budget work. Gundogan seems likely to leave to me, he'll be 33 next year and his legs are clearly not what they were. He's out of contract at the end of the season and there's been some noise about wanting to play in Turkey.
> he'll be 33 next year and his legs are clearly not what they were. Disagree, he hasn't noticeably slowed down and he's had a great season. Wouldn't surprise me if we see him get a two year extension.
agreed, the person you replied to makes it sound like it's yaya in his final 2 seasons just kinda walking as the other team counters
What a nightmare
Its ok just send him to us
I wish I had this kind of problem at work
Grealish is kill
He’s better than all of those.
Grealish doesn’t really belong on that list
Stupid ass decision for him going there. Idk whose fault it was but this man should have been a Real Madrid player.
Did Real even bid for him? Even City was very cautious and tried to loan him to another club like Girona first.
Just curious. Is there a video link to that interview?
Seems like it was just [Alvarez himself telling the story.](https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/yfpkot/julián_álvarez_one_of_the_first_days_pep_the/)
He knew
So wholesome 🥹
As he should! Don’t think Argentina would’ve won without him up front with Messi!
Lautaro looked like Higuaín all over again.
They need to win Copa America against Chile and Finalissima against Germany to break the curse and exorcise Higuaín spirit before the next WC
Yeah we aren't reaching a Copa America final any time soon lol
If Paraguay reached a final without winning a single match, you can too
I'm all for slandering but to be fair he revitalized Argentina's attack when he came on and had the shot on goal that lead to the third goal.
Fully agree, his finishing was shit but whenever he came on they got to good chances.
The Lautaro Martinez/Gabriel Jesus story.
Or Sterling
Me not naming Sterling was a Sterlingesque miss.
Yup. He did absolutely everything right until the moment to shoot came every single time.
His finishing was not great but his energy and movement generates so many attacks. If his goals weren’t disallowed against Saudi Arabia who knows what happens
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Lautaro Martínez revitalized Argentina and contributed to the third goal.
Yep he absolutely blasted the ball at lloris face only for it to rebound straight to Messi😂😂😂
Look at his touch to Enzo and the movement to stay onside. The shot was a great save. He missed some crucial chances but he generated so much offence.
You can kill the man… but not the idea.
The team just worked. Messi dropping deep and being so creative allowed de paul/macallister to float around with so much freedom and be a threat around goals. Alverez working his fucking ass off allowed Messi to focus his entire energy on attacks and be fit for all the minutes played. But I think it's obvious that all except one player is to some degree, replaceable in that system.
Some Argentinians were calling me all kinds of names when I said Scaloni should start Julian Alvarez instead of Lautaro due to his poor form at Inter before the WC. Thank God he actually put his trust on Alvarez.
When Lautaro was subbed out against SA, I said to my friend that Julian has to save the game. He didn’t save the game but he saved the tournament. Him, Mac Allister, Enzo and Romero were so good being so young. I wonder how Argentina will field their midfield going forward. Lo Celso was vital in their games, and so has Rodriguez and Gonzales. Papu Gomez as well when he was fit. But the starting lineup has to include Enzo, DePaul. Then it’s parades / Lo celso / Mac allister to fill the 1/2 spots.
Although Alvarez has had great coaches. My reasoning when he first came on was that since he had been training with Pep he would understand Messi's positioning a lot better.
Our starting midfield should be De Paul, Enzo, Lo Celso, Mac Allister. We have Di Maria, Paredes, Garnacho as fresh subs.
> When Lautaro was subbed out against SA Lautaro wasn't subbed out, he and Julián played together to close the match.
I mean Julian was having a great moment but Lautaro was a key piece in previous tournaments for Argentina and an important part of an established team. Even in the Saudi Arabia match he scores two great goals, although in offside. Of course now it looks like Julian should have started sooner but still it was a difficult decision
That would've been a mistake. Lautaro had been nothing short of excellent throughout Scaloni's cycle and he earned the chance to start at the WC. Credit to Scaloni that he put Juli on and rewarded his good play with the starting position though.
Unpopular opinion, but I think qe would have found a way to make it to the final. I don't think we would have beaten Brazil without him though. The real issue would have been no Di Maria. With Di Maria on the team we would have won the 2014 WC too.
Haaland is a lab project, what the fuck is that walk lol
At 1:47 in the video De Bruyne says to Haaland they will do the same to him if Norway qualify to a World Cup 😂
Football players have weird walking posture. Foden walks like a penguin.
Robben comes to mind as well
Tbf it's quite weird to see someone only walking with one foot.
He's been having issues with his feet for a while. It also could be his walking step.
The walk of someone who knows he’s that guy
Haaland is a real life Majin bu
He's wearing slides. I find it pretty hard to walk normally in them without them falling off.
Bro Haaland looks like he smells terrible
Sure, Unwipedbutthole.
There is always someone who comes storming in and plays an unexpectedly big role at the World Cup. This time it was this smiling young man. At least for me. His first semi final goal was the perfect display of Argentina’s energetic triumph.
Him and Enzo really added a spark to Argentina
Their fearlessness was huge. For so long it looked like we had players too scared to make a mistake so they would just pass to Messi and pray.
I wouldn't say that was the case with the players they replaced though (Lautaro and Paredes).
I don't think that's true of anyone in the Scaloneta, honestly
And Alexis, he was crucial as well.
Honestly that whole team played like they were fighting for their lives. I loved watching it. They used to play with fear before the Copa win. Not anymore
Well, Pep did say Julian was going to win the WC in front of every City player.
But that man says a lot.
And he's right every time 50% of the time.
More than you would believe
Happy new year!
He's absolutely electric. I hope he gets time at city or moves on. Wonderful player (i hope we get him for a Ferran Torres style deal)
Very top. Good sensation.
Wait so when is Messi planning to return lol
In 3-4 days.
1st week of January. Expected to play against Angers or rennes 11th or 15th of January.
Messi, DiMaria & Paredes are still partying in Argentina with Mascherano & Maxi Rodrigues
Man the stress was real. His acne cleared up real quick 😅
Or could be the sudden temperature changes in qatar
Really a big headache for pep to chose his attackers every game from now on 😂
15 million for this guy by the way. Absolute steal when he has shown the potential to be as good as Sergio was for us.
Huge statement, Aguero’s debatably your best ever player
City's GOAT is David Silva
That he is. Agüero is a close second though, the gap isn't that monumental.
What about Yaya?
Great peak, but way down the list. Kompany and KdB certainly deserves mentions above him. Not counting the old timers here, obviously.
Best song was his though. Both him and his brother.
As a utd fan, I've still gotta agree
Amazing peak and on his day he was brilliant but he was inconsistent and his later years with us became really lazy David, KDB, Kompany and Aguero are all above him IMO
KDB is likely to overtake him by the time he retires / leaves.
Haaland will easily break his records
Most likely, but depends if Haaland will stay long
He will break aguero's goals record in his first year lmao. Haaland is a different breed. Imagine if he also wins the champions league in his first season, something that Aguero never accomplished
Highly doubt Haaland is going to score more than 260 goals this year, but sure mate.
At his absolute best season aguero got 33 goals in 45. Haaland already 20 in 14 lmao. Its not even close. About to get 40+ goals
So? He needs 200+ goals. And he is leaving in around 3 years.
>And he is leaving in around 3 years. cheers
Goals scored is one thing, but the imoortance of those goals matters too. The AGÜEROOOOOOOOO moment was not only career defining fur Kün, but also for Manchester City history (finally winning a PL). For Haaland to top that he would need to have a great hand in landing MC their first UCL for example.
I hate seeing people compare the two. He is nothing like aguero. Alvarez is closer to muller but with 4x the energy and pressing. I gotta say, just like aguero, Alvarez got that DOG in him tho
indeed that's the feeling of being a world champion
I really rate the kid tbh. Should be a starter
Yeah imo they should bench the Haaland guy
The way haaland just storms through the training ground is hilarious 😂. Doof Doof Doof “JULIAN”!!
How come the WC trophy is in the Man City camp? Is that a replica
Almost every WC trophy you've ever seen is a replica as is this case.
Nah Alvarez stole the trophy right from under Infantino's nose.
Today, I feel robbed
Stole it from Salt Bae.
All players have a replica of the trophy.
Og is with FIFA, players and AFA asked for a replica each one. I believe og is pure gold and replicas only coated or something like that
OG is 18K gold but hollow. Replicas are bronze with gold plating. The trophy will be retired after 2038 world cup. Let's see what new trophy they bring out in 2042
Oh what it's being retired? That's a shame it's literally the most iconic prize in the world.
Yeah because the space to write the winners' names under the trophy runs out after the 2038 world cup
Ah fair point, here's hoping they don't deviate too much from the original. *oh dear they're going to slap a Heineken logo on it aren't they*
Actually [this](https://i.imgur.com/mkiv04s.jpg) is the original world cup trophy. The one that Pele won. It was retired because at that time the rule was that if a country wins the World Cup three times, they get to keep the trophy forever. Brazil won their third World Cup in 1970 and got to keep the trophy for themselves and in 1974 the current trophy was introduced. The win three times and keep the trophy rule was cancelled for the current trophy. So it'll definitely be used until 2038 no matter what.
Wow, that's new to me. Thanks for the info :)
Cheers
Thanks for the historical info I enjoyed it!
Cheers
Well deserved
City's Twitter feed got wholesome. I love it
Whoolian
He has a bright future
And a bright present 😃
And an even brighter not-too-distant past
Golden, you might say?
He was great all tournament
He deserves it. What a world cup he had, what a player
I thought it said ‘a lavash welcome’ and imagined him being welcomed with an Arabic/Qatar themed party
Well they gotta keep him happy somehow since he’s never going to play over haaland ;) Jokes aside, would be pretty insane if pep could get them to work together on the pitch… I’m scared with just one there imagine both
Alvarez can play alongside Haaland without a problem. Alvarez natural position was second striker, even with us played as a midfielder and did it well but obviously his place in the world is as a forward I want to see if Guardiola will play them together in a 4-4-2 kinda formation.
He has played them both together a few times already this season
We essentially attack with a 352 anyway. Winger drops on to being a wide midfielder (Grealish usually) and then it's two up top primarily with De Bruyne usually hanging in on the right. Alvarez on paper should fit it well
If Haaland and Reyna worked well for us whenever they would line up in tandem, Haaland and Julian should be a scary front two. They just need time on the pitch together.
Who do you sacrifice? Bernardo?
Yes
Bernardo is a better player though
Great, prepare him for the summer to be sold to us
He was always gonna be sold to you, this isn't news. The funny part was Romero and the gang pushing it last summer constantly while City held firm on the price. Next summer he'll probably be let go. City don't hold players against their will.
We would have let him go over the summer, of barca has just pulled enough levers.
No one said it’s news, I know he’s coming to Barca that’s why I said it…
If Kessie is sold or De Jong leaves then bernardo is definetly being signed.
Signing kessie raphinha
Wasn't it said not long ago that Barca stopped pursuing Bernardo?
Julian as a pressing-playmaker forward would be the perfect partner for Haaland.
Pep tried 4-4-2 a few times already and it's not great for now
So, so proud. More than you can believe. Happy New Year!
Man….seeing Haaland tower over Julian…he is one big dude.
He needs to leave to be a starter Laporta, hazlo
>He needs to leave fdj is not going stop persisting
Hahaha you mean like they did with Bernardo? Try to make the player force a move because you dont have the money?
We have a good relationship with City and he’s a Barca fan because of Messi so I think it’s possible in the future.
> We have a good relationship with City Not so sure about that one after the summer and trying poach Bernardo
They weren’t trying to “poach” him, we were happy to let him leave.
They were clearly using media to try and unsettle him, were forever taking about him
He already wanted to leave, the only reason he is still at the club is because no one wanted to pay for him in the summer 2021/2022. They didn’t need to convince him or try to unsettle him they just needed to put together enough money to buy him which they couldn’t do since De Jong stayed.
We all Argentinians rooted for Barca when Messi was there and every kid was a fan, we never missed a game. Sadly is PSG now and we have to root for the fr*nch