How Pep Guardiola came up with genius new role for Jack Grealish with Man City star told NOT to worry about the ball
Pep Guardiola’s Tactical Genius: How Jack Grealish’s Off-Ball Role Helped Manchester City’s FA Cup Comeback
Jack Grealish played a crucial but unconventional role in Manchester City’s 2-1 FA Cup victory over Bournemouth—without even needing to touch the ball.
A Subtle but Game-Changing Contribution
Grealish, 29, has had a frustrating season with limited minutes under Pep Guardiola. But his impact off the bench at the Vitality Stadium was vital to City’s second-half comeback.
While he didn’t score or assist, Guardiola instructed him to focus purely on movement—dragging Bournemouth’s midfield wide and creating space for teammates.
Guardiola’s Tactical Shift
At halftime, with City trailing, Guardiola made a crucial adjustment:
- He set up a diamond midfield, pulling Mateo Kovacic deeper between the center-backs.
- This narrow press created space for Kevin De Bruyne, but as he tired, substitute Nico O’Reilly took over the role.
- Enter Grealish—told explicitly by Guardiola: “Don’t worry about the ball.”
Instead, Grealish was tasked with hugging the touchline, pulling Bournemouth’s defenders away, and opening up the middle.
The Result? A Tactical Masterclass
- Minutes after halftime, Erling Haaland equalized, capitalizing on the extra space.
- O’Reilly, who dominated the second half, provided assists for Haaland and Omar Marmoush to seal the win.
- Bournemouth simply couldn’t cope with City’s shape-shifting attack.
Praise for Guardiola’s Brilliance
City’s tactical flexibility stunned fans, with pundits calling it a “tactical masterclass.” One analyst noted:
“Telling Jack Grealish to forget about the ball? It sounds crazy—but it worked perfectly. City took control and never looked back.”
What’s Next for City?
Despite Haaland limping off injured, City’s FA Cup run continues, and with Pep’s tactical ingenuity, they remain favorites for silverware.
