That, but also, when trying to build from the back, you need to have a way of creating the neccessary space yourself. If the pressure is to intense, and you can't drop further back to allow yourself more time, you need to go long a few times. We tried, but not long enough in the first half. We went semi-long, and then lost the duel. By precisely putting a few long balls in behind the opposition defence, with quick players threatening, you not only have the potential to create a break, but you force the defenders to turn and run facing their own goal. A few of those, and they will inevitably start to drop of a bit earlier, thus creating more space in central midfield.
The theory is easy enough. And it works. But it is absolutely dependent on precision in the long balls, and while Toby were one of our best players, he had a rough 50% pass completion on the long balls. Dier had 4 out of 4, but it was clearly Toby who were designated longball outlet. For the most of the first half, they were not long enough, nor precise enough.
We don't have the players, system, confidence, what have you, to out-guardiola Emirates Marketing Project. So if you want space to play, you need to manufacture it.
