×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Join Thousands of Readers
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download Now

UEFA Champions League: Manchester City and Chelsea set for final showdown

Vocalize Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Vocalize

Guardiola's teams are famed for their possession football based around close passing. [Photo: Courtesy]

It is a term that once puzzled pundits and upset traditionalists but Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says the 'false nine' brings out the best in his team, and it would be no surprise to see it used in Saturday's Champions League final against Chelsea.

The unconventional tactic involves playing without a traditional centre-forward, or 'number nine', leading the attacking line but with either an advanced midfielder or a withdrawn striker in a deeper position.

Premium Article

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Fact-first reporting that puts you at the heart of the newsroom. Subscribe for full access.
Continue Reading  →
What you get
  • Unlimited access to all premium content
  • Ad-free browsing experience
  • Mobile-optimised reading
  • Weekly newsletters & digests
Pay via
M - PESA
VISA
Airtel Money
Secure Payments Kenya's most trusted newsroom since 1902
Football
SPL Title Race: No room for slip up for Leopards and Gor Mahia
Football
Junior Starlets keen to finish the job against Namibia in WCQ
Volleyball and Handball
Champions GSU win to keep play-off hopes alive
Basketball
Ulinzi clash with Umoja in KBF League encounter