Champions League Tactical Analysis: Stones Revival, Newcastle Pressing, and PSG’s Dominance
The latest installment of Champions League tactical observations brings fascinating insights from Europe’s elite competition.
Stones Brings Back Manchester City’s 2023 Blueprint
Manchester City secured an impressive 2-0 away victory against Villarreal, with Pep Guardiola’s main tactical surprise being the return of John Stones to his legendary role from the treble-winning season.
For those who need reminding, here’s how it works: in defensive phases without possession, Stones operates in his classic role as one of two central defenders.
However, when City have possession, Stones advances into the defensive midfield position. During the treble season, John would push up alongside Rodri. Against Villarreal, he partnered with Nico González.
This tactical approach had been largely abandoned since the treble campaign for multiple reasons. From injuries that made Stones consider retirement to Pep’s ongoing tactical experiments, the 3+2 structure featuring a false center-back hasn’t been City’s primary setup as it was during their historic season.
Stones’ performance against Villarreal serves not only as a pleasant tactical flashback but also as a reminder that this approach remains highly effective. John was magnificent – completing the game with 97.3% passing accuracy and ranking second in progressive passes. Unsurprisingly, City’s strongest area for creating chances was the right flank, where Stones operated most frequently.
Newcastle’s Personal Pressing with Jacob Murphy: The Ousmane Dembélé Imitation
Newcastle demolished José Mourinho’s Benfica 3-0 at home in a match that saw them dominate with 19 shots to 7 and 5 clear chances to 1. Eddie Howe’s team displayed their full tactical arsenal, creating opportunities through build-up plays featuring Nico Veltmader, counter-attacks, and set pieces. However, their most effective weapon was personal pressing, which produced two of their three goals.
In this phase, Newcastle employed a classic approach – Jacob Murphy pairs with Veltmader while full-back Kieran Trippier pushes up to support against the opposing winger. It’s a risky but highly effective strategy.
The timing of when to initiate pressure proved crucial. Newcastle alternated between two scenarios: either a gradual transition to pressing from their medium block, or immediate pressing when Benfica attempted to play out from the goalkeeper.
In the latter case, Murphy’s behavior was particularly interesting. Before charging at the goalkeeper, he would adopt a stance reminiscent of Ousmane Dembélé.
Copying Paris Saint-Germain has become Newcastle’s signature move this season. In early matches, they led the Premier League in forcing opponents into throwing under pressure from midfield build-ups. As Murphy’s example demonstrates, they’re also replicating Europe’s best team in the finer details.
Nuno Mendes Embodies PSG’s Total Football Philosophy
In PSG’s 7-2 demolition of Bayer Leverkusen, Nuno Mendes provided an assist from a corner routine, scored a goal with the movement of a central striker, and created a pre-assist from the left center-back position.
These key moments highlight the Portuguese defender’s remarkable versatility. PSG are intentionally maximizing this aspect of his talent. Just a year ago, Mendes’ primary position in possession was typically the left center-back slot – first helping with progression before earning the right to surge forward in attack.
Now, this zone is more frequently…
Mendes represents the modern interpretation of total football, seamlessly transitioning between defensive solidity and attacking threat. His performance against Leverkusen showcased why he’s becoming one of Europe’s most complete full-backs.
PSG’s tactical system allows Mendes the freedom to express his attacking qualities while maintaining defensive responsibility. His understanding of when to join the attack and when to hold position demonstrates remarkable tactical intelligence for such a young player.
Tactical Trends Shaping the Champions League
These matches reveal several emerging trends in European football: the return of hybrid defensive roles, the effectiveness of coordinated pressing systems, and the evolution of full-backs into complete footballers.
Manchester City’s use of Stones demonstrates how top coaches are reviving successful tactical concepts from previous seasons, adapting them to current squad capabilities and opposition weaknesses.
Newcastle’s pressing system shows how mid-tier teams can compete with established European powers through disciplined, well-drilled tactical approaches that maximize player strengths.
PSG’s utilization of Mendes highlights the continuing evolution of defensive roles in modern football, where position-specific responsibilities are becoming increasingly fluid and interchangeable.
As the Champions League progresses, these tactical innovations will likely influence how other teams approach their matches, creating a fascinating tactical arms race among Europe’s elite clubs.
Analysis by Slava Palagin, adapted from original tactical observations
