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- The 50-year-old has a role at UEFA in analyzing Champions League matches
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given his expert insight into the ways in which Manchester City defeated Copenhagen in his new role as UEFA Technical Observer.
The former Manchester United boss has been out of coaching since resigning from the Old Trafford club in November 2021, although he has now returned to football in some capacity.
The 50-year-old revealed in September that he had taken up a role with Europe’s top governing body, which will see him play in the Champions League and report throughout the season.
“I can look at teams from a different perspective than as a manager,” the six-time Premier League winner told The Athletic last year. “Analyze them, solve problems, see how both teams will try to hurt each other.”
Of all the unemployed managers in the world, there may be none better placed to break Guardiola’s approach, with Solskjaer’s record against the Spaniard standing at a healthy four wins, four defeats and one draw.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (left) took on the role as technical observer for UEFA, traveling to Champions League matches and providing reports
Manchester City recorded their eleventh win in a row in all competitions against Copenhagen
Pep Guardiola’s side are in brilliant form as they look to retain each of the three trophies they won last season
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The Norwegian highlighted three key facets of City’s play in their 3-1 Champions League victory against Copenhagen, which could make it almost impossible for any team to stop.
Firstly, there was their response to the Danish side’s zonal pressing system, which aims to reduce the time City players get the ball while maintaining their defensive rigidity.
‘Guardiola’s men used the full width of the pitch and played around Copenhagen’s shape as they reverted to a 4-3-3.’ He wrote about in his analysis UEFA website.
‘And they produced the killer balls, usually to Kevin De Bruyne or Bernardo Silva, which ended up in spaces between the full-back and the centre-back with perfect timing.’
It was the Belgian who opened the scoring for the defending champions after a sharp pass from Foden on the right flank.
Copenhagen maintained a disciplined shape that forced City to pass the ball back and forth to try to open spaces in the middle
Kevin de Bruyne’s opener came after clever interplay between him and Phil Foden
Jacob Neestrup’s team changed shape in the second period to allow their full-backs to be more aggressive. And that worked over long distances, even though City’s quality was still ultimately decisive.
That fact was particularly evident in Solskjaer’s second observation, which concerned City players’ ability to avoid pressure.
This is a common feature of Guardiola’s side, as the former Barcelona manager’s system and player selection allows his team to play out of danger, having initially invited them to draw opponents out of their defensive shape.
“City’s players are so good at receiving the ball with the back foot,” Solskjaer continued. ‘Even moving backwards in tight spaces with players around them, that’s how aware they are of others’ positions.’
Solskjaer highlighted the confidence City players have to pass and receive the ball under immense pressure
City like to get high up the pitch and routinely camp every outfield player in the opponent’s half
The Belgian returned the favor with City’s third goal of the night and Foden’s 15th goal of the season
Solskjaer was also keen to highlight Manchester’s constant positional rotation, which made it extremely difficult for Copenhagen’s defense to stay with Guardiola’s men.
‘It wasn’t easy for the home midfielders as Bernardo Silva and De Bruyne managed to enter the spaces at the other end and City extended the home side’s defensive line.’ The former Cardiff boss added. “That’s where the visitors hurt them the most.”