Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Manchester City's defence for their part in Tuesday's 3-0 Champions League quarter-final first leg win over Bayern Munich.
29.03.2023 - 09:17 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Nathan Ake insists the Manchester City squad are getting used to playing three at the back amid Pep Guardiola’s recent tactical change.
The Blues have operated the system a number of times in recent months, including during their two matches before the international break - the 7-0 whitewash of RB Leipzig in the Champions League and in the 6-0 demolition of Burnley in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
It remains unclear whether Guardiola will stick with the formation when Liverpool travel to the Etihad on Saturday lunchtime. Ake has been one of City’s most consistent defenders this season and has been used in numerous positions.
READ MORE: Man City have advantage over rivals in race for Jude Bellingham
The 28-year-old played as one of the back three against Leipzig before being rested against Burnley but previously had played in his natural centre-back role in a back four.
He has also featured at left-back at times to compensate for City’s lack of depth in the position amid the summer exit of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Joao Cancelo’s January loan to Bayern Munich. Bernardo Silva has also filled as a wing-back on occasions.
Ake says the team are getting used to playing with a back-three, telling SportBible: “I think the more you train it, the more familiar it becomes. You can see that from the whole team since we've been playing three at the back."
Ake hailed the intuitiveness of boss Guardiola, underlining how the Catalan coach has improved his game after the defender's 2020 arrival. “Tactically, he is so good," Ake explained.
"Every meeting, he is so clear. He analyses everything. He loves the game so much that he knows everything about everyone. As a player, going into the game, you know exactly what you have to do and what
Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Manchester City's defence for their part in Tuesday's 3-0 Champions League quarter-final first leg win over Bayern Munich.
Thomas Tuchel lamented 'two or three' risky mistakes from his Bayern centre-back Dayot Upamecano as Manchester City built a commanding lead in their Champions League quarter-final.
John Stones says the countless blocks Manchester City's defenders made during Tuesday’s 3-0 Champions League quarter-final first leg win over Bayern Munich were “key moments” that gave the team inspiration to fight on.
Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel insists his side 'will never give up' after falling 3-0 down to Manchester City in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Manchester City supporters are calling for Pep Guardiola to bring Kyle Walker back into the starting line-up for their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.
Jamie Carragher believes the number of matches Manchester City still have to play compared to Arsenal could be their undoing during the Premier League title race.
Vincent Kompany stood, almost stock still, drinking it in. His Burnley side had just secured promotion to the Premier League. All around him there were celebrations, selfies and singing. The Clarets chief observed, watching his players and the club's supporters enjoy the moment.
Ruben Dias is looking forward to seeing Joao Cancelo again even if his friend and teammate will be trying to knock Manchester City out of the Champions League.
Manchester City are in a thoroughly luxurious position at the minute when it comes down to their attacking options.
Jack Grealish capped appearing in his 17th-straight Manchester City match with a goal and an assist against Liverpool over the weekend.
Pep Guardiola said his celebrations with Liverpool substitutes Kostas Tsimkas and Arthur Melo after Manchester City's equaliser at the Etihad were just a joke and not a lack of respect.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said that Erling Haaland is feeling better but is not fit enough to face Liverpool.
Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly put Aymeric Laporte on their summer wish-list amid rumours the defender could seek a Manchester City exit at the end of the season.
The FIFA 23 FUT Birthday event continues for another week in Ultimate Team, with Team 2 of the promo now available in FUT Packs.
Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn became the latest player to respond to criticism of Scotland's style of play after Manchester City ace Rodri suggested it was 'rubbish'.
Manchester City have been told that their summer transfer priority is to replace Joao Cancelo, although Erling Haaland’s arrival means the Blues are still a more rounded team.
Highly-rated RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol has admitted that he recently had a conversation with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola - but has warned that he does not expect to leave the German club this forthcoming this summer.
A Manchester City star and two Manchester United legends feature in FIFA 23's FUT Birthday Team 1 release, with eight FUT Birthday Icons included.
Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero believes there is a 50 per cent chance of Lionel Messi returning to Barcelona before retiring.
Kevin De Bruyne admits he is "disappointed" not to be starting every game for Manchester City but understands Pep Guardiola's rotation policy.