Manchester City are 'fantastic' but 'have no clear identity'

The Toffees tactician is of the view that their upcoming opponents in the FA Cup quarter-finals do not have a well-defined way of playing.

Carlo Ancelotti insists Manchester City “have no clear identity”, arguing that their incredible versatility is one of their greatest strengths.

Manchester City had a dull start to 2020/21 but have picked up pace in the business end of the season and have been a force to reckon with lately.

The Sky Blues were on a record-breaking 21-match winning and 28-match unbeaten streak in all competitions prior to the 2-0 defeat against Manchester United.

Pep Guardiola’s men are running away with the Premier League title and are through to the Champions League quarter-finals. With FA Cup and League Cup glory also in sights, they are being backed to complete a quadruple this season.

12 – Man City are now unbeaten in their last 12 home matches in the Champions League. This is their second best run since 13 matches between 2015 and 2017. Quarters.@ManCity pic.twitter.com/nYySJFqavu
— StatCity (@StatCity) March 16, 2021

“Manchester City are a fantastic team but they have no clear identity,” said Ancelotti, via Goal.

“Sometimes they build up with three, sometimes with two, sometimes their right back goes to play as a holding midfielder.

“They have clear principles. That is the difference.

“Sometimes they don’t play with a centre-forward, they play with a No 10 as a centre-forward, so the identity of Manchester City is not clear. If they had a clear identity you would be more able to manage their shape, but the fact is they change their shape.

“What doesn’t change is their principles of keeping the ball, having possession and to show the quality they have. The principles never change.”