The Manchester Evening News reported that Manchester City's signing Donaluma happened to deal with the new trend of high ball in the Premier League.
In the first month of the Premier League season, a retro tactic is clearly emerging. Nowadays, almost every team has seen the value of using out-of-bounds balls to hang the ball into the penalty area and strengthening the preparation for set balls. The goalkeepers knew what they were about to face, and it didn't feel good.
·Tuchel declared that "the long throwing tactic is back" during the international match day in September. Sky Sports' "Monday Football Night" program has also specifically analyzed the increasingly common trend of outbound balls being directly sent to crowded penalty areas.
data shows that the number of long throws per game has increased from less than 2 times last season to slightly more than 3 times this season, and the threat created by the team has significantly increased. Crystal Palace and Brentford have scored goals through long throw tactics.
Manchester City is expected to frequently encounter situations where opponents knock the ball into the penalty area this season, and when Burnley next visits the Etihad Stadium, long throws and set pieces will be seen as their most likely way to cause trouble for the home team.
But it can be said that no club has more powerful defensive weapons than Guardiola's team. Signing Donnarumma for £26 million is a cheat code to deal with the latest retro tactics in the Premier League.
When the penalty area is under pressure, you need a dominant goalkeeper, and Donnarumma is just that player. Although Arsenal's equalizer on Sunday was very exciting, some may question Donnarumma's position choice, but his steady performance in dealing with set-piece bombing is beyond reproach, and Gunners coach Arteta clearly believes he played a key role.
After the game, Arteta said: "He is extremely dominant in the penalty area. Every time the ball enters the small penalty area, his timing and action execution are extremely efficient."
Donaruma is not only strong in control but also decisive in decision-making. He can quickly judge whether to attack and execute decisively, and convey a calm aura when defending against Arsenal's offensive. This characteristic is likely to make the opponent think twice before acting when facing Manchester City. The most effective way to use a long throw is to hit the crowded small penalty area, but as Arteta said, Donaruma is enough to control the area with his size and aura.
Burnley's response strategy this weekend is worth paying attention to, but what is even more fascinating is how Brentford will make moves in two weeks. They are the master practitioners of the Premier League long throwing tactics.
Although they will try to put pressure on Manchester City, Donnarumma can resolve the crisis in an instant. When Manchester City signed the goalkeeper who seemed to be inconsistent with Guardiola's philosophy, he was probably the perfect goalkeeper to adapt to the modern Premier League.