Meatwad
I actually think he just eased up mentally a tiny bit after an incredible couple of weeks. I didn't like his application at all against City, but today he was fine on that front - he won mostly every physical duel he went into and looked concentrated and focused.
I just think people underestimate what the shape and pattern of a game can do to the performance of individual players.
Saka was double-teamed all game, we couldn't get Ødegaard and White out to him to create overloads and combinations because we didn't have the control in the centre. And that story repeats all around the team when we can't put players in positions and situations where their qualities can be effective. Partey is a good example - he was the guy with the time and space, and all he really offered was a pass wide to a double-teamed Saka or a forced forward pass that often resulted in a turnover.
We have to find a way to control games and play to the strengths of our players against these low block teams. I'd say the key is Ødegaard, when a team stops him it breaks the chain. How do we get him the time and space to be effective, and if we can't, how do we find a way to make the attack work without him serving as that link?
